Free Wi-Fi continues to grow in Napier

Napier City Council’s support of free Wi-Fi within the city has proven popular with both residents and visitors.

Launched five years ago by local telecommunications company Revolutionz, the Council has contributed to the system's implementation costs and provided access to Council assets, such as streetlights, to enable the network.

Since then the Council has partnered with locally based company WASP NZ Ltd for a project focusing on improving access to visitor information and Council services, enhancing users’ experiences. If it also means visitors and locals can access their social media sites easily, this increases the chances of both becoming ambassadors for the city and region.

Free Wi-Fi points include Clive Square, and a section of the Marine Parade foreshore from Ocean Spa through to the Sunken Gardens. It is also being trialled in an area by the Maraenui shops, and will shortly be available at Taradale Library.

Council Chief Executive Wayne Jack says being able to access free Wi-Fi at selected points has been a 'win-win' situation for locals and visitors alike, explained that there is an expectation technology should be fast and affordable, and the Council is happy to help meet that expectation.

Jack comments "it’s important not only for our residents who have come into town but also from a tourism perspective, so people can get access to information about what’s going on in Hawke’s Bay."

Free Wi-Fi became available at Napier Library in November last year, after its refurbishment. Before then there were 400 Wi-Fi connections, or hits a month.

They now number in the thousands - with June seeing just over 6000 connections.

Napier Library Manager Sheryl Reed says while the free Wi-Fi, which is available throughout the library and on the building’s forecourt may be the reason many of these people are choosing to come into the Library in the first instance, staff have found many are choosing to use other Library products and services as a result.

The project will continue to evolve, with other spots throughout the city being investigated for suitability for free Wi-Fi.

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