What’s Happening?
Starting from December 2025, the 3G mobile network in Whanganui—and all of New Zealand—will begin shutting down, with all services gone by March 2026. This isn’t just a minor tech change; it’s a critical community issue.
Who Will This Impact?
People directly affected:
- Older residents and low-income households: Up to 2,500 residents still use older 3G-only phones, with many also reliant on personal medical alarms that may fail in emergencies.
- Rural communities and farmers: Around 1,500 rural devices (telemetry for pumps, irrigation, stock monitoring) could stop working, significantly impacting farm productivity and animal welfare.
- Local businesses: Hundreds of mobile EFTPOS systems and GPS trackers used by small businesses risk losing functionality.
What’s at Stake?
Left unresolved, Whanganui could face annual economic losses of between $4 and $11 million. More importantly, lives could be at risk if emergency calls and medical alarms fail.
There is already strong national coordination underway, with national campaigns, telco information tools, media coverage, and government-funded awareness programmes being rolled out. However, even in places with proactive national efforts, international case studies have shown that people and devices still slip through the cracks.
In Whanganui, even after a moderate local upgrade push, around 750 people and ~600 rural devices may remain reliant on 3G. This residual risk—highlighted by Australian and UK experiences—reinforces why we must act locally to catch what national efforts might miss.
Why Act Now?
We’ve got only 5 to 8 months to ensure every affected device is upgraded or replaced:
- Spark: 3G off by March 2026
- One NZ: 3G ends December 2025
- 2degrees: Late 2025 shutdown (exact dates TBC)
Lessons from Other Countries
Globally, similar shutdowns have resulted in thousands of disconnected devices, spikes in emergency incidents, and widespread regret among policymakers and communities who wished they’d acted sooner. In Australia, the 3G shutdown saw 80,000 device failures and thousands of complaints. Let’s avoid this scenario.
Simple Actions You Can Take
- Individuals & Families: Text “3G” to 550 to check your device. Help older family members and neighbours do the same.
- Community Groups & Organisations: Host device-check clinics, share upgrade info in newsletters and meetings, and ensure vulnerable groups (like seniors and rural households) receive targeted support.
- Local Businesses: Assess your EFTPOS, GPS, and other mobile-connected equipment—reach out now for upgrade support.
- Key Links for More Information:
- Take the DECA Community Survey: Help build national insights into preparedness and equity gaps. DECA Survey
Recommended Workstreams for Whanganui
- Awareness & Outreach: Spread the word through local papers, markets, social media, and community forums.
- Device Upgrade Clinics: Collaborate with local tech experts to offer simple, accessible upgrade support.
- Funding & Support: Apply for government and community grants to subsidise device replacements, especially for medically dependent and financially vulnerable residents.
My Personal Commitment
As someone dedicated to digital inclusion, this issue deeply matters to me because it directly impacts community wellbeing and equity. My aim is straightforward: support Whanganui residents by raising awareness, sharing practical resources, and fostering collaborative community action. Let’s not leave anyone behind.
Documents I ‘ve Created to Guide Local Action
- Impact Analysis: Understand what’s at risk and our local readiness Read Here.
- Stakeholder Ecosystem: Who can help and how we coordinate Explore Here.
- Global Lessons: Avoid pitfalls and replicate successes from other countries Learn Here.
- Community Action Plan: Clear steps for local groups and residents Action Steps.
- Bottom Line Summary: Quick, clear overview of what’s at stake Summary Document.
Let’s come together now, ensuring Whanganui thrives through this digital transition.
Contact me at alistair@crystaladventures.co.nz to collaborate or for more information.
This blog post is a collaborative creation by Alistair Fraser, with the innovative assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4.5 and 4.o, highlighting the synergy of human creativity and advanced AI technology.