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Perhaps the best example of this is Dubai Internet City in the United Arab Emirates, with Malaysia's Cyberjaya perhaps coming a close second.

But what about here in New Zealand?

Do we have an Internet City or hi-tech hangout for our best and brightest?

Is there a city in NZ that has an administration really geared up to attract, foster and encourage the formation of hi-tech enterprises within its boundaries?

I guess NZ's defacto hi-tech city would be Auckland, but that crown is only worn by virtue of the fact that it's also the nation's largest.

Apparently Christchurch has a disproportionate amount of hi-tech industries thanks to a couple of initiatives in this area -- but there's really no single stand-out tech city here -- is there?

Well you might be surprised to learn that one small country town looks to be gearing up to become a very attractive place to set up business.

I'm talking about the most unlikely of places: Tokoroa and other parts of South Waikato.

No, I'm not pulling your leg or going crazy. The South Waikato District Council seem to be dead serious about making life easy for those considering setting up or relocating new ventures in their area.

For a start, they're making sure that wireless broadband is readily available in what would otherwise appear to be an unlikely area for such services.

This page gives more info on the area's ICT initiatives and their progress and this story from IDG offers further insight.

But why would anyone want to move to the middle of nowhere (or should that be knowhere)?

I guess it could make reasonable sense, from both a business and lifestyle perspective.

Although not exactly on Auckland's back doorstep, South Waikato is pretty close to Hamilton and the support services/industries such a population center offers.

Having a good university just down the road is also good for hi-tech industries.

The (compared to Auckland) low cost of housing, living and commercial leases also makes such a regional location an attractive way to stretch the limited funding many startups have.

From a lifestyle perspective, it's close to Taupo and the central North Island ski fields, not too far from a beach while within spitting distance of some fine hunting and fishing.

Will these initiatives attract business and knowledge workers away from the big smoke? I guess only time will tell.

Now, before I get a squillion emails from other towns, cities and regional areas pointing out that they're also working hard to attract new enterprises, remember that those driving the Tokoroa programme have so far been the only ones smart enough to contact me and put their case -- that's smart!

If any Aardvark readers want to share an opinion on today's column or add something, you're invited to chip in and have your say in The Aardvark Forums or, if you prefer, you can contact me directly.

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