Wellington’s CentrePort, in partnership with Māori-owned digital infrastructure specialists Tū Ātea, has unveiled New Zealand’s first commercial private 5G network.
The deployment represents a major step forward in enhancing productivity, safety, and Māori leadership in critical national infrastructure.
Located at the heart of CentrePort, the private 5G system delivers seamless, high-performance connectivity across the entire port site, replacing vulnerable wireless systems and boosting operational resilience.
This pioneering network is poised to set a new benchmark for freight and logistics hubs nationwide.
The bespoke wireless infrastructure utilises dedicated spectrum tailored expressly for CentrePort’s needs, linking a variety of assets including cranes, trucks, sensors, and tablets.
These connected systems will collaborate to manage the movement of around 4 million tonnes of freight annually in often challenging radio environments characterised by large metal containers, mobile equipment, and vessels.
Antony Royal, CEO of Tū Ātea, remarked: “This network demonstrates what becomes possible when Māori enterprise partners with industry to build technology for the future.”
The network’s intelligent design overcomes common coverage barriers experienced in complex port environments — such as radio interference and physical obstructions — to keep essential communications continuous and fast. Its robust architecture supports critical safety, operational efficiency, and productivity goals, fundamentally reshaping technological capabilities at the port.
Anthony Delaney, CEO of CentrePort, added: “Our port is a dynamic environment where reliable and fast communication is vital for the safety of our staff and the overall efficiency of the port.”
With the network now fully operational, CentrePort and Tū Ātea plan to explore further applications enabled by 5G technology. These include advanced sensor platforms, remote monitoring solutions, and smart logistics systems — all delivered through the bespoke 5G infrastructure.
