TUANZ partners with Recycle A Device to bridge divide

TUANZ has named Recycle A Device as its social impact partner for 2026, with a focus on getting refurbished laptops to students who lack access to a working device at home.

The Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand said the partnership is part of an updated 2026-2027 action plan that places access and inclusion at the centre of its work. The organisation linked device access to participation in education and the wider digital economy.

"In 2026, as we mark 40 years of TUANZ, our tag line is clear: Championing a Brighter Digital Future for every New Zealander. But as we navigate this digital world, we must confront a stark reality: a "brighter future" is impossible if thousands of our students are left in the dark," said Craig Young, Chief Executive Officer, TUANZ.

Young described the digital divide in practical terms. He said many families lack a functioning laptop for study and everyday digital tasks.

"Our updated 2026-2027 Action Plan reaffirms our commitment to Access and Inclusion. We believe that socioeconomic factors or a lack of tools should never be a barrier to essential digital participation. However, for many students and whānau across Aotearoa, the digital divide isn't a theoretical policy issue-it is the lack of a functioning laptop on the kitchen table. Without a device, a student isn't just missing a gadget; they are excluded from the digital economy, from modern education, and from the opportunity to reach their full potential," said Young.

Device recycling

Recycle A Device is a national programme that collects unused laptops, refurbishes them, and provides them to students. TUANZ said the programme also involves training rangatahi in technical skills as part of the refurbishment work.

"In 2026 we are proud to support RAD (Recycle A Device) as our social impact partner. RAD is a nationwide initiative that perfectly aligns with our strategic pillars. They take unused laptops, refurbish them, and gift them to the students who need them most. This isn't just a charity project; it is a vital intervention in our digital ecosystem," said Young.

TUANZ also used the announcement to urge organisations to consider device donations as part of their hardware refresh cycles. The message targets businesses and other organisations that replace laptops on a planned schedule.

"As a community, we have the power to influence the decision-makers and lead by example. Your unused business laptops could literally change a life. We are calling on all NZ organisations to review their hardware refresh cycles and consider how their "retired" gear can become a student's greatest asset," said Young.

Broadband benchmarks

TUANZ also highlighted the latest New Zealand broadband performance reporting from the Commerce Commission. It said fibre remains the top-performing fixed-line option, while alternative technologies have shifted the competitive picture in non-fibre areas.

The figures cited by TUANZ indicate that Starlink's average residential download speeds are 254 Mbps. That compares with a standard Fibre 100 plan. TUANZ also cited reliability data suggesting 86% of Starlink households could support two simultaneous UHD Netflix streams during the 7pm to 11pm peak period.

The organisation noted that latency remained higher on satellite connections. It cited an average latency of around 28 ms for satellite compared with 5 ms for Fibre Max. It said this difference can affect highly latency-sensitive applications such as competitive online gaming.

TUANZ also highlighted new fixed wireless data offerings, including performance metrics for Spark's 5G Max Wireless plan. It cited an average download speed of 348 Mbps for that option. It contrasted this with 4G fixed wireless in non-fibre areas, where average peak-hour speeds can fall to 40 Mbps under congestion.

AI misinformation

The TUANZ update also referenced warnings from officials about AI-generated images circulating after a landslide at Mauao, Mount Maunganui. It said fabricated images spread on social media platforms showed exaggerated damage that did not reflect the actual site.

It cited advice to check authoritative sources such as council channels and official pages. It also referenced Netsafe guidance to look for anomalies in images and to question the source and intent of dramatic content before sharing.

Government roadmap

In government, TUANZ highlighted the launch of a two-year Public Service AI Work Programme, led by the Government Chief Digital Officer and the Public Service Commission. It described the plan as a framework for adoption and governance across agencies.

The roadmap includes plans for an AI Marketplace for agencies and an AI Innovation and Accelerator Lab. It also includes an AI search assistant pilot for navigating services in the Govt.nz app. A separate AI sandbox would give agencies a controlled environment for testing tools and approaches.

Workforce event

TUANZ also flagged an Auckland event with a panel discussion about the shift from education to an AI-influenced workplace. The panel listed Sarah Bellett from One NZ, Claire Amos from Albany Senior High, and Jane Kennelly from Skills.

"Let's ensure that location or lack of skills does not hinder access to our digital future. Let's get these devices where they will make the biggest difference," said Young.