The way New Zealand is connected to the internet is a lot more fragile than you might think. Almost all electronic communication to and from New Zealand is sent through just five cables, each the width of a garden hose, running for thousands of kilometres across the ocean floor.

According to a 2023 report, these cables are at significant risk from negligence, intentional damage or destruction, and natural events. So, how can we protect the cables? And what happens if we don’t?

Made with the support of NZ On Air.