Planning fibre connectivity for your new build in New Zealand is crucial in today’s digital world. With Chorus being New Zealand’s largest fibre network operator, covering approximately 70% of the country’s UFB (Ultra-Fast Broadband) network, understanding the costs involved in bringing fibre from the street to your new home is essential for accurate budgeting. Here’s everything you need to know about Chorus fibre connection costs for new builds in 2025.

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The Good News: Most Connections Are Free

Under New Zealand’s UFB programme, most standard residential fibre installations are completely free. This government-backed initiative ensures that the majority of new home builds can connect to Chorus fibre at no cost to the homeowner, provided certain criteria are met.

What Qualifies as a Standard Free Installation

Distance limit: Up to 200 metres from the street to your property boundary
Standard installation methods: Using existing pathways like driveways or following standard routing
Residential properties: Single-family homes and multi-unit buildings up to three floors
New developments: Properties in areas covered by the UFB network

Understanding the Installation Process

Two-Phase Installation

Chorus fibre installation for new builds typically occurs in two phases:

Phase 1: Street to Property Boundary

Chorus installs fibre infrastructure from the street to your property boundary
This work is usually completed during subdivision development
Developers coordinate with Chorus during the planning phase
Cost is generally absorbed by the development or UFB programme

Phase 2: Property Boundary to House

Installation from boundary to External Termination Point (ETP) on your house
Connection from ETP to Optical Network Terminal (ONT) inside your home
Testing and activation of the service
This phase typically occurs when your house is nearly complete

When Costs Apply: Non-Standard Installations

While most installations are free, you may face charges in specific circumstances:

Distance-Related Costs

Over 200m from street: You’ll contribute to the additional distance
Long driveways: Shared driveways calculate distance pro-rata among users
Remote locations: Properties requiring significant infrastructure extension

Installation Method Changes

Underground to aerial: If you prefer different routing than proposed
Custom routing: Avoiding specific areas or following non-standard paths
Difficult terrain: Rocky ground, steep slopes, or complex landscaping
Multiple access points: Requiring additional entry points to the property

Property-Specific Complications

Multi-unit developments: Buildings over three floors may require contributions
Commercial/residential mix: Mixed-use properties may have different charging
Apartment buildings: Complex internal distribution systems

Estimated Costs for Non-Standard Work

When standard installation isn’t possible, here are typical cost ranges for 2025:

Distance-Based Charging

Additional cabling: $15-30 per metre beyond 200m
Trenching work: $50-120 per metre depending on conditions
Boring under driveways: $200-500 per crossing
Rock drilling: $80-150 per metre in difficult terrain

Infrastructure Requirements

Additional pits/joints: $300-800 each
Pole installation: $1,200-2,500 for aerial routes
Bridge crossings: $500-2,000 depending on span
Retaining wall work: $200-600 per metre

Multi-Unit Building Costs

Buildings over 3 floors: Chorus funds first $1,000 per unit
Additional costs: $500-2,000 per unit beyond the $1,000 allowance
Internal distribution: $200-800 per unit for in-building cabling

Planning for New Build Developments

Developer Responsibilities

Property developers typically handle the initial infrastructure planning:

Early consultation: Contact Chorus during subdivision planning
Infrastructure design: Coordinate fibre routing with other utilities
Cost allocation: Determine how connection costs are distributed
Timeline coordination: Ensure fibre availability aligns with build completion

Homeowner Planning Steps

For individual new builds, follow these steps:

Contact Chorus early: Ideally 3-6 months before construction completion
Site assessment: Chorus technician evaluates installation requirements
Cost estimation: Receive detailed quote for any non-standard work
Installation scheduling: Book installation once house is weather-tight

Regional Variations and Local Fibre Companies

While Chorus covers most of New Zealand, some regions are served by Local Fibre Companies (LFCs) with similar pricing structures:

Other Network Operators

Enable (Canterbury): Free installation up to 200m until December 2025
Northpower Fibre: Similar terms in Northland regions
Tuatahi First Fibre: Covering parts of Taranaki, Waikato, and King Country
Ultrafast Fibre: Serving Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, and New Plymouth

Cost Comparison: New Build vs Retrofit

New Build Advantages

Standard installation: Usually qualifies for free connection
Planning integration: Fibre routing planned with other utilities
No existing infrastructure: Cleaner installation pathway
Developer coordination: Professional project management

Retrofit Installation Costs

For comparison, retrofitting fibre to existing homes can be more expensive:

Standard retrofit: Still free if under 200m and standard routing
Property damage risks: Potential landscaping or driveway damage
Access complications: Existing structures may complicate routing
Consent requirements: May need neighbor agreements for access

2025 Pricing Updates

Chorus implemented several pricing changes effective January 1, 2025:

Wholesale Pricing Changes

Home Fibre Starter: Increased to $38 per month (8.6% increase)
No Fault Found fee: Increased to $162.78 (32.6% increase)
200 Mbps plans: 7% increase to align with 920 Mbps equivalent

These wholesale changes don’t directly affect installation costs but may influence overall service pricing from retail providers.

Hidden Costs to Consider

Internal Home Wiring

Cat6 cable installation: $150-300 per room during construction
Wall outlet installation: $50-120 per outlet
Central distribution point: $200-800 for professional setup
Network equipment: $300-1,500 for switches and routers

Service Provider Fees

Connection fees: Some ISPs charge $50-150 for service activation
Equipment rental: $5-15 monthly for modem/router
Installation support: $100-300 for professional setup

Maximizing Your Free Installation

Design Considerations

ETP location: Choose accessible location near proposed ONT site
Internal routing: Plan shortest path from ETP to desired ONT location
Service panel proximity: Consider electrical panel and utilities location
Future expansion: Plan for potential additional connection points

Builder Coordination

Conduit installation: Pre-install conduit for internal fibre routing
Wall preparation: Ensure appropriate wall construction for cable routes
Access provision: Maintain clear access paths for installation
Timing coordination: Schedule installation after weatherproofing

Alternative Solutions for High-Cost Situations

When Standard Installation Isn’t Economical

Fixed Wireless: 4G/5G solutions for remote locations
Satellite broadband: Starlink or traditional satellite services
Community solutions: Coordinate with neighbors for shared infrastructure
Staged approach: Initial wireless with future fibre upgrade

Installation Timeline and Process

Typical Installation Phases

Initial consultation: 1-2 weeks after contact
Design and planning: 2-4 weeks for complex installations
Build phase: 1-3 weeks depending on complexity
Connection and testing: 1-2 days for final connection
Service activation: Same day once connected

Scheduling Considerations

Peak periods: Summer months may have longer lead times
Weather dependencies: Underground work affected by wet conditions
Resource availability: Contractor availability in your region
Council approvals: May require additional time for permits

Future-Proofing Your Connection

Infrastructure Planning

Conduit sizing: Install oversized conduit for future cable upgrades
Multiple entry points: Consider redundant paths for business use
Distribution planning: Plan for whole-home networking
Smart home preparation: Ensure adequate bandwidth for IoT devices

Technology Considerations

Speed planning: Consider current and future bandwidth needs
Equipment compatibility: Ensure internal wiring supports high speeds
Backup solutions: Plan for redundancy if needed

Bringing Chorus fibre to your new build is typically a straightforward and cost-free process, thanks to New Zealand’s comprehensive UFB programme. Most residential connections within 200 metres of existing infrastructure qualify for free installation, making high-speed internet accessible to the vast majority of new builds. For properties requiring non-standard work, costs are generally reasonable and predictable, especially when planned early in the development process. The key to success is early planning, clear communication with Chorus during the design phase, and coordination with your builder to ensure optimal installation conditions. With proper planning, your new build can enjoy world-class fibre connectivity without unexpected costs or complications.