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RCG Wins Social Impact Award at Building Nations 2025

The Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) is proud to announce it has won the Social Impact Award at the 2025 Building Nations Awards, recognising its groundbreaking work in bridging the digital divide across Aotearoa.

This prestigious award celebrates projects that deliver outstanding social outcomes through meaningful collaboration with Māori, stakeholders, and communities. RCG’s nationwide rollout of rural mobile infrastructure has connected more than 33,000 homes, businesses, farms, and marae, many for the very first time, enabling safer, more resilient, and more connected communities.

“This award is a testament to the power of partnership and purpose,” said RCG CEO Ian Hooker. “We are honoured to be recognised for our work in helping rural communities thrive through reliable mobile and broadband access. It’s not just about connectivity, it’s about equity, opportunity, and inclusion.”

RCG’s unique model, delivering a world-first Multi Operator Core Network (MOCN) in partnership with the Government, Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees, has enabled the construction of more than 560 mobile cell sites, from Te Paki to Stewart Island and even on Chatham Island. The programme has delivered:

  •  563 new cell sites– extending coverage where it’s needed most in rural Aotearoa.
  •  33,000+ homes & businesses coveredthat previously had no internet access.
  •  1200+ kms of state highway covered– reducing blackspots for safer travel.
  •  100+ key tourist spots covered– ensuring visitors and locals stay connected.
  •  100+ emergency ‘111’ calls daily– calls that could not have been made previously, keeping people safer and supporting emergency services.
  •  8 million voice calls per monthacross rural Aotearoa.
  •  Emergency messaging capabilityacross all three mobile networks, ensuring rural families receive text alerts along with the rest of the country.
  •  60+ off-grid sitespowered by solar and wind technologies.

Through close engagement with iwi, councils, landowners, and local communities, RCG has ensured its rollout is not only technically successful, but also socially meaningful and environmentally responsible.

“Winning the Social Impact Award reflects the heart of our mission,” said Allison Bailie, Head of Delivery at RCG. “We’re incredibly proud of our team and partners, especially our successful partnership with National Infrastructure Funding and Financing. Together we have built an incredible legacy, with more work to do, so no community is left behind.”

The Building Nations Awards, presented annually by Infrastructure New Zealand, recognise leadership, innovation, and impact across the country’s infrastructure sector.