Prime Minister John Key says ultra-fast broadband will happen "come hell or high water" - despite the Commerce Commission throwing a spanner in the works over Chorus.
The commission has recommended cutting wholesale copper broadband prices, which network company Chorus says could threaten the taxpayer-subsidised roll-out of ultra-fast fibre broadband.
A Government proposal to override the commission was thwarted by support parties last week.
It is now awaiting an independent review of whether Chorus can afford the commission-imposed cut in wholesale prices, which is due this week.
Mr Key told TVNZ's Breakfast this morning that Chorus could go broke under certain circumstances, but the Government was very committed to the ultra-fast broadband roll-out.
"We are going to have to have a look at that contract, we're going to have to look at what our options are when we get the independent report.
"But in the end, we want ultra-fast broadband on the timetable we want it to go ahead, and someone's got to pay for this. If Chorus can't pay for it then we have to work out who is going to."
Mr Key said New Zealand needed ultra-fast broadband to be competitive.
"We're going to make it happen, come hell or high water. We'll just work out what those waters look like as we navigate them."
The way forward could not be legislation because the Government did not have the numbers, Mr Key said.
"The reality is, Chorus have a contract with the Government and, this is the one point to remember, the Commerce Commission has thrown a spanner in the works.
"Fair enough, no one predicted that. But if we don't ensure that ultra-fast broadband is built on time, you as as consumer, New Zealand as a country, our children as learners, our hospitals as medical facilities will be held back relative to other countries.
"And as a country we can't afford that."
