In 2019, at just 14 years old, I founded WombatNET to address the connectivity challenges rural communities in New Zealand face. My passion for bridging the digital divide was sparked by participating in the PGF-funded Rural Innovation Lab, where I gained valuable insights into these communities' barriers.Since then, I have independently managed all aspects of WombatNET’s operations. I secured over $100,000 in initial funding to launch the company and spearheaded the deployment of Wireless Broadband Services throughout the Wellington Region. This experience has given me hands-on expertise in regulatory compliance (RMA and NES), stakeholder engagement, remote site acquisition and construction, competitive tendering, radio-frequency exposure management, and health and safety practices.From 2022 to 2023, I led a significant engagement initiative, including becoming an early adopter of One NZ’s XvNE MVNO platform. This collaboration enabled WombatNET to introduce an innovative rural Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solution that complemented our existing services. By offering unlimited, data-cap-free broadband to underserved rural areas, we have reinforced our mission of delivering affordable, reliable connectivity to remote communities.