Back in February 2025, CentrePort and Tū Ātea announced their collaboration to build New Zealand’s first commercial private 5G network. The project signalled a major shift in how critical logistics sites could use dedicated wireless infrastructure to modernise operations. In November, the partners reached a significant milestone by officially switching on the network, marking the arrival of the country’s first Māori-built commercial private 5G system.
The initiative began with a clear goal. CentrePort wanted reliable, high-performance connectivity across its Wellington site to support port-wide operations and reduce reliance on public mobile networks and Wi-Fi. The port handles around 4 million tonnes of freight each year and depends on seamless communication between vehicles, cranes, sensors and staff. Coverage has always been a challenge due to container stacks, large vessels and constantly shifting machinery. A dedicated 5G system offered a way to overcome these physical barriers while future-proofing the port’s digital systems.
Tū Ātea, a Māori-run communications provider with its own spectrum assets, stepped into the project with a fully converged core and the capability to deliver Network as a Service. The February announcement confirmed that CentrePort would gain a network built specifically for its operational needs, powered by several high-power 5G radio transceivers mounted on existing light poles and linked by fibre to Tū Ātea’s infrastructure. The design enables features such as network slicing, which allows different virtual networks to run in parallel for applications that require specific levels of latency or throughput.
This approach means CentrePort can separate mission critical traffic from less urgent communication, ensuring workers and equipment always have dedicated capacity when needed. The rollout also complements the port’s broader innovation strategy, which includes energy storage pilots and growing interest in converged smart solutions that strengthen safety and raise operational resilience.
The November launch represented more than the activation of a technical system. It showcased the first deployment of a Māori-built private 5G network in a commercial environment and highlighted the role of Māori leadership in spectrum management, digital infrastructure and national technology development. Tū Ātea’s work in this space draws on its origins as the Interim Māori Spectrum Commission and its rapid growth since acquiring Tū Ātea Network Services in 2023. The organisation now supports a wide range of expertise, including a growing cohort of Māori engineers.
For CentrePort, the live deployment provides consistent high-capacity coverage across the entire site. It replaces older wireless dependencies and positions the port as a leader among New Zealand’s freight and logistics hubs. For Tū Ātea, the project demonstrates how dedicated spectrum and modern packet core capabilities can drive commercial private network adoption across sectors such as transport, manufacturing and large venues.
With the network now operational, both organisations are preparing for the next phase. Future applications are expected to include expanded sensor networks, remote monitoring and smart logistics tools that take full advantage of the private 5G performance. The partnership has set a benchmark for how locally driven innovation, cultural stewardship and modern wireless technology can come together to enhance national infrastructure.
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