"Fixing the ‘digital divide” is critically important to the health and wellbeing of rural communities and imperative to growing New Zealand’s prosperity. The 2016 Rural Connectivity Symposium aims to build on the valuable discussions and relationship building started in 2015 between internet service providers, health professionals and the rural end-users of telecommunications.

The day will be opened by the Minister for Primary Industries the Honourable Nathan Guy, followed by state of the nation addresses from agribusiness and banking leaders. We’ll then explore the importance of rural connectivity from three different perspectives: improving rural health outcomes; improving rural liveability and improving rural businesses. Each session will involve a wide range of speakers with expertise and firsthand experience of rural telecommunications. There will also be plenty of opportunity for audience participation in the panel discussions at the end of each session. The day will conclude with an RBI2 update, followed by networking drinks and nibbles.

This is a unique opportunity we have before us to provide a strong unified voice which reflects the voices of rural users of telecommunications services.

Come to Wellington to have your say and help ensure rural communities can fully participate in the 21^st Century."