The NZ Relay range of services is provided by the Crown for people with communications disabilities. MBIE funds NZ Relay to provide equal work and lifestyle opportunities for those with speech

Government-led connectivity programmes such as the Ultra-Fast Broadband Programme, Rural Broadband Initiative Mobile Black Spot Fund, Rural Capacity Upgrades Programme and Remote Users Scheme are delivering improved broadband and mobile services to New Zealanders.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, with the Office for Disability Issues, asked for feedback on six proposed changes to help move to better, more modern video interpreting and relay services to help Deaf, deafblind, hearing-impaired, and speech-impaired New Zealanders to communicate with hearing-people over the phone.

The Government has announced it is working with New Zealand’s 3 major network operators (Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees) and shared network infrastructure provider Dense Air to enable improvements to rural connectivity and the accelerated roll-out of 5G services to small towns across New Zealand.