Digital television is going to be available to a further 160,000 households later this year.
The expansion will allow digital TV to be picked up by UHF aerial in Whangarei, Rotorua, Gisborne, Taupo, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Nelson, Timaru, and Invercargill.
Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman says the expansion will be done in time for people to see the Rugby World Cup in high definition format.
Currently 75% of homes have access to the digital signal, but that will expand to 86% by September.
The analogue signal system will be shut down by late 2013, starting in September next year.
