In several areas of the country, the Copper Withdrawal Code (CWC) process will be complete by November this year.  These are generally specified fibre areas where Chorus is the fibre provider.  A list of these areas is set out in this file - note these are the naming conventions for the Commerce Commission’s Specified Fibre Area and do not align with actual regional boundaries. This information is also on the Commission website - Commerce Commission - Map of specified fibre areas.

Provided that the CWC process is completed, the copper network in these areas will be retired by 27 February 2026. Coverage for all copper services will cease in these areas on that date and any remaining active services will be terminated.  

In these areas, there remain a small number of active copper services which are not subject to the CWC. These include services provided to locations which are not end-user’s premises, or commercial copper services. Notice has been provided to the applicable RSPs for all of these services, and they include smart locations/NBAPs such as traffic lights. There are also services for which the CWC process has been completed but which remain active.  

We are providing this information so you can have conversations with your customers now about switching to alternative technologies. The copper network will be retired in these areas so please ensure any alternative solution is in place and active prior to the shutdown date.  

We will separately contact RSPs directly with non-CWC services impacted by this shutdown. If you do not hear from us and believe you might have services that will be impacted, please get in touch with your Customer Engagement team as soon as possible.