Electricity lines company Unison Networks has launched a progressive bid to partner the Government in delivering ultra-fast fibre broadband across the central North Island and East Coast regions.

Unison Network's chief executive Ken Sutherland announced today Unison is tendering to be the Local Fibre Company for Hawke's Bay, Rotorua and Taupo, and entering new territory with a proposal to roll out fibre for Palmerston North and Feilding.

Unison will work closely with neighbouring lines companies for Gisborne and Whakatane, Mr Sutherland said.

Unison's tender is one of the New Zealand Regional Fibre Group's 15 closely aligned proposals for consideration under the Government's $1.5 billion ultra-fast broadband initiative.

Mr Sutherland said Unison's bid has received strong and unanimous support from community and business leaders.

"We have been meeting with mayors, local authority senior executives and business leaders to outline our tender proposal and have been encouraged by their support, unprecedented backing and enthusiasm," Mr Sutherland said.

"Unison is committed to servicing all six regions with a multi-city roll out that would deliver ultra-fast broadband to over 100,000 homes and businesses .

"We are taking a progressive approach by advancing our fibre roll out to all these areas and government funding would allow us to fast-track the roll out and meet the Government's desire for 75% of all New Zealanders to have better broadband services," Mr Sutherland said.

Unison, which has fast-earned a reputation in the industry as one of the most forward driven line companies in New Zealand, is well advanced in its high speed fibre roll out for Hawke's Bay, Rotorua and Taupo.

Bringing fibre to Central Hawke's Bay townships Waipukurau and Waipawa was a natural extension as Unison already provides full management services to the Centralines network, Mr Sutherland said.

Unison sees rolling out fibre for Palmerston North and Feilding as a logical progression which made sound commercial sense delivering ultra fast fibre broadband to a densely populated area with a large commercial hub.

"Unison would run fibre alongside the electricity network. The proposed rollout would be undertaken in co-operation and support from PowerCo and Unison would work alongside the Palmerston North City Council.

"Broadband is an enabler of economic growth and bringing fibre to these regions is an exciting and very positive investment in terms of driving technology, communications, innovation and economic growth," Mr Sutherland said.

"Ultra-fast fibre broadband will help all regions become far more competitive, bringing them closer to the rest of the country and the world as it breaks down communication distances," he said.

Unison Networks is one of New Zealand's largest electricity distribution businesses supplying more than 100,000 customers connected to networks in Hawke's Bay, Rotorua and Taupo.