The new trans-Pacific cable will link Australia, New Zealand and the United States, as well as a number of South Pacific Islands and Hawaii, by the end of 2017.

Under the multi-million dollar binding agreement, Hawaiki Cable and SIL will join forces to develop and implement the US$300mm cable system which will be based on coherent fibre technology and with designed capacity of over 25 Tbps.

Sir Eion Edgar said the Hawaiki cable would not only provide faster and better Internet, but would also “significantly enhance the security of our data connection to the globe and, ultimately, improve the everyday life of our communities.”

“We are delighted to invest in the Hawaiki project, which represents major progress for the connectivity of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

“As a family, we have endeavoured to support and invest in projects that not only make sound business sense, but which also make a positive contribution to New Zealand society, in particular in the areas of health and education. Our investment in Hawaiki fits squarely with this endeavour.

“In order to be a centre of education excellence, New Zealand must have access to secure and competitively priced data. And in the area of health, greater connectivity can have hugely positive implications. For example, new telemedicine applications, boosted by Hawaiki broadband connection, will reduce the need for patients to visit distant hospitals, greatly enhancing the quality of healthcare that can be provided right across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.”

Rémi Galasso, Chief Executive Officer of Hawaiki Cable, said “we consider Hawaiki as an important strategic asset for New Zealand and its future generations. Our capacity contracts with New Zealand customers, including REANNZ, symbolised the first cornerstone of the project and now, with the Edgar family on board, we demonstrate once again our commitment and ability to provide New Zealand with state-of-the-art infrastructure.”