Following the lead of other cities around the world, Mayor Celia Wade-Brown announced Wellington will be the first city in New Zealand to offer free Wi-Fi across most of the CBD, just in time for the Rugby World Cup.

The free Wi-Fi comes out of an agreement between CityLink Ltd and Wellington City Council.

"This is a significant step in our city's evolution to a creative digital city," said Wade-Brown.

While coverage will initially cover the area from Waitangi Park and Courtenay Place, along the 'golden mile to Westpac Stadium and Cuba Street, it will eventually be extended to other areas, including the zoo, cable car, observatory and main libraries.

The free network will be funded by the City Council at a cost of $80,000 then $216,000 per annum, with some of this cost expected to be offset by sponsorship.

CityLink COO Brian Phillips said the company will still offer ad-free pay network CafeNet separately.

When it is up and running, the network can be accessed by clicking through a sponsorship page and conditions for use.  Users will be given a 30-minute session. After 30 minutes the sponsorship page will reappear so that users can reconnect.

Users will not be asked to sign up for an account or surrender any form of personal or payment information.

"We want to make sure Wellington is great place to live and a great place to travel," said the Mayor.

Photo credit: BriYYZ via Flickr