One NZ Satellite expands Halter rural connectivity

May 2026

One NZ Satellite expands Halter rural connectivity

Halter is an example of Kiwi innovation at its absolute best, and One New Zealand is proud to be backing its expansion of rural connectivity with One NZ Satellite powering its smart collars and helping to unlock the future of farming. Halter’s virtual fencing for beef is now powered by One NZ’s direct-to-satellite connectivity, marking a major milestone for Halter and for the future of beef producers worldwide, many of whom operate on some of the most remote and extensive land on Earth.

For decades, connectivity has been one of the biggest barriers to adopting on-farm technology. Around 40% of New Zealand’s landmass sits outside traditional mobile coverage, largely due to terrain and the challenges of building and maintaining infrastructure in remote areas. That means many farmers have had to operate without reliable communication or access to digital tools when they’re out beyond the farm gate.

One NZ Satellite is changing that. As One New Zealand CEO Jason Paris puts it, “It’s not every day you’re helping cows connect to satellites in space, so that NZ farmers can access world-leading technology.”

Powered by SpaceX’s Starlink network, One NZ Satellite uses low Earth orbit satellites acting as “cell towers in the sky,” allowing devices to connect wherever there is a clear line of sight to the sky. It means connectivity no longer depends on proximity to a tower — it travels with you, whether you’re in a back paddock, down a gully, or across high country stations.

For Halter, this removes one of the last remaining barriers to scale. Their virtual fencing system, which uses GPS-enabled collars to guide and manage livestock has already transformed how farmers control grazing, improve pasture utilisation, and manage stock without physical fences.

Now, with direct-to-satellite capability, that innovation becomes accessible to even more operations. No tower infrastructure. No blackspots. No limitations based on geography.

Farmers can graze land they previously couldn’t manage, extend operations into more remote areas, and run smarter, more efficient farms without needing on-farm connectivity infrastructure. One NZ Satellite is expected to expand access to Halter’s technology across more farms that were previously constrained by connectivity.

The benefits go beyond productivity. For farmers working alone in isolated environments, the ability to stay connected brings a new layer of safety and peace of mind, even if it’s just being able to send a simple message when it matters most. Or providing resilience during outages and extreme weather conditions, keeping farms connected when traditional infrastructure is disrupted.

Satellite-enabled connectivity is also paving the way for broader agri-tech adoption, from sensors and monitoring tools to real-time data insights across entire properties. With devices able to switch seamlessly between traditional networks and satellite, this helps level the playing field between highly connected and remote operations.

The result is a future where location is no longer a limitation — and where innovation can reach the most remote corners of New Zealand’s rural landscape.

You can find out more about One NZ Satellite and learn about the smart collar at the One New Zealand stand (PE50 in the main pavilion) at Fieldays 2026.