Performing an internet speed test on the Chorus network is essential for New Zealanders looking to verify their actual bandwidth against their broadband plan’s promises. As of 2026, New Zealand’s fibre landscape has significantly evolved with the "Big Fibre Boost," which saw standard residential plans like Fibre 300 boosted to 500 Mbps and Fibre 50 increased to 100 Mbps at no extra wholesale cost. To get an accurate reading, it is vital to test correctly—ideally using a wired Ethernet connection—to bypass the common interference issues inherent in home Wi-Fi. This guide explains how to use the official Chorus speed test tools, what technical factors impact your results, and how to interpret metrics like ping and jitter to ensure your connection is optimized for 4K streaming and low-latency gaming in Aotearoa.
How to Perform an Accurate Chorus Speed Test
To ensure your speed test results reflect the true capability of the Chorus network rather than your internal home wiring, specific protocols should be followed. Most "slow internet" complaints in NZ are actually caused by Wi-Fi bottlenecks rather than the fibre line itself. For the most reliable data, Chorus recommends using a direct connection to your modem.
- Use an Ethernet Cable: Plug your computer directly into the modem using a Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable. Cat 5 (or below) cables will cap your speed at 100 Mbps, regardless of your plan.
- Restart Your Hardware: Restarting both your computer and modem before testing clears temporary memory glitches and ensures a fresh connection.
- Single Device Only: Ensure no other devices (phones, Smart TVs, consoles) are using the bandwidth while the test is running.
- Close Background Apps: Video streaming (Netflix), music (Spotify), and multiple browser tabs can skew results.
- Select the Nearest Server: Use the server hosted by your ISP in the nearest major city (Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch) to minimize latency during the test.
Use an Ethernet Cable: Plug your computer directly into the modem using a Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable. Cat 5 (or below) cables will cap your speed at 100 Mbps, regardless of your plan.
Restart Your Hardware: Restarting both your computer and modem before testing clears temporary memory glitches and ensures a fresh connection.
Single Device Only: Ensure no other devices (phones, Smart TVs, consoles) are using the bandwidth while the test is running.
Close Background Apps: Video streaming (Netflix), music (Spotify), and multiple browser tabs can skew results.
Select the Nearest Server: Use the server hosted by your ISP in the nearest major city (Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch) to minimize latency during the test.
Where to Find Official Speed Test Tools
The Chorus Speed Test tool is available directly on the Chorus website and is powered by Ookla. For those on "Fibre Max" or 1Gbps+ plans, testing through a web browser can sometimes underreport speeds due to browser processing limits. In these cases, it is recommended to download the Ookla Speedtest Desktop App (available for Windows and Mac) to get a more technically precise reading.
Understanding Speed Test Metrics (Mbps, Ping, Jitter)
A speed test result provides more than just two numbers; it offers a snapshot of your network's overall health and responsiveness. In 2026, as New Zealand moves toward near-terabyte monthly data usage, these metrics are critical for managing "heavy" digital tasks like VR and real-time AI processing.
| Metric | What it Measures | Target for NZ Fibre |
| Download Speed | How fast data travels from the web to you. | 90%+ of your plan speed (e.g., 450+ Mbps for Fibre 500). |
| Upload Speed | How fast you send data (vital for video calls). | Usually fixed at 20, 100, or 500 Mbps depending on plan. |
| Ping (Latency) | The delay in communication (measured in ms). | Under 10ms for local NZ servers is excellent. |
| Jitter | The variation in ping over time. | Lower is better; high jitter causes stuttering in gaming. |
Latency and The "30ms Rule"
Latency is particularly important for New Zealanders who work remotely or game competitively. The Commerce Commission’s Measuring Broadband NZ reports indicate that latency above 30ms will cause noticeable dropouts and "robotic" audio in video conferencing apps like Zoom or Teams. Because fibre uses light signals, it typically offers the lowest latency of all NZ connection types, far outperforming copper (ADSL/VDSL) and fixed wireless.
Technical Factors That Affect Speed Results
If your internet speed test result is significantly lower than your plan’s advertised "headline speed," the cause is usually one of several technical barriers within the home ecosystem. Chorus operates a "congestion-free" network by law, meaning they must ensure utilization stays below 90% even during peak hours. Therefore, persistent slow speeds are rarely a network-wide fault.
- Hardware Age: Modems or routers older than five years often lack the processing power to handle modern 500 Mbps or 1 Gbps traffic.
- Wi-Fi Environment: Radio wave interference from microwaves, thick concrete walls, or neighbors' routers can reduce Wi-Fi speeds to a fraction of the line's potential.
- Device Capability: Older laptops or smartphones may have older Wi-Fi chips (Wi-Fi 4 or 5) that cannot reach the maximum speeds offered by Wi-Fi 6 or 7 routers.
- International Routing: Testing to a server in the US or UK will always show slower speeds and higher ping due to the physical distance the data must travel via undersea cables.
Hardware Age: Modems or routers older than five years often lack the processing power to handle modern 500 Mbps or 1 Gbps traffic.
Wi-Fi Environment: Radio wave interference from microwaves, thick concrete walls, or neighbors' routers can reduce Wi-Fi speeds to a fraction of the line's potential.
Device Capability: Older laptops or smartphones may have older Wi-Fi chips (Wi-Fi 4 or 5) that cannot reach the maximum speeds offered by Wi-Fi 6 or 7 routers.
International Routing: Testing to a server in the US or UK will always show slower speeds and higher ping due to the physical distance the data must travel via undersea cables.
Copper vs. Fibre Speed Expectations
For the minority of Kiwis still on copper (ADSL/VDSL), speed is highly dependent on your distance from the local cabinet or exchange. ADSL rarely exceeds 25 Mbps, and VDSL performance drops significantly if you are more than 800 meters from the cabinet. In contrast, fibre speed is identical regardless of distance, which is why speed tests on fibre are more consistent across New Zealand.
The "Big Fibre Boost" and 2026 Speed Benchmarks
Following the nationwide upgrades completed by mid-2025, speed expectations for Chorus customers have shifted. The goal of this "Boost" was to keep New Zealand infrastructure ahead of the rising data demands of AI, 4K streaming, and multi-screen households.
- Starter Plans: Now deliver 100 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload.
- Standard Plans: The most popular "Fibre 300" plans were boosted to 500 Mbps download / 100 Mbps upload.
- Fibre Max: Designed for speeds of ~900 Mbps; tests often show over 920 Mbps during non-peak hours.
- Hyperfibre: Symmetrical plans offering speeds from 2 Gbps to 8 Gbps, catering to professional content creators and data-heavy businesses.
Starter Plans: Now deliver 100 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload.
Standard Plans: The most popular "Fibre 300" plans were boosted to 500 Mbps download / 100 Mbps upload.
Fibre Max: Designed for speeds of ~900 Mbps; tests often show over 920 Mbps during non-peak hours.
Hyperfibre: Symmetrical plans offering speeds from 2 Gbps to 8 Gbps, catering to professional content creators and data-heavy businesses.
Real-World Consistency (Peak vs. Non-Peak)
Recent Measuring Broadband NZ reports show that fibre is the most stable technology in the country. During "Peak Hours" (7 PM – 11 PM), fibre plans typically maintain 87-88% of their maximum advertised speeds. In comparison, Fixed Wireless (4G/5G) connections can see speeds drop by 15-25% during these busy periods as more neighbors share the same cell tower.
Troubleshooting Slow Speed Test Results
If your speed test remains low after switching to a wired connection, you should perform a physical check of your Optical Network Terminal (ONT)—the box on your wall. The lights on this unit are your first diagnostic tool.
| ONT Light | Normal State | Issue State | Action |
| Power | Solid Green | Off / Red | Check power adapter; call ISP if no power. |
| Optical / PON | Solid Green | Flashing / Red | Physical line fault; contact ISP to lodge a fault. |
| LAN / Ethernet | Flashing Green | Off | Cable between ONT and router is loose or faulty. |
When to Contact Your ISP
If your wired speed is consistently less than 80% of your plan's headline speed, and your hardware is modern, it is time to contact your retail service provider (e.g., Spark, One NZ, 2degrees). They can run remote diagnostics on your line and, if necessary, escalate a "network fault" ticket to Chorus to check the external fibre link.
Final Thoughts on Chorus Speed Testing
The internet speed test chorus tool is a powerful diagnostic for ensuring you are receiving the digital service you pay for in the 2026 "boosted" fibre landscape. While fibre remains the gold standard for speed and reliability in New Zealand, achieving the best results requires a proactive approach to home networking. By testing via Ethernet, maintaining modern hardware, and understanding that Wi-Fi signal loss is the most common cause of slowdowns, you can ensure your household remains at the forefront of New Zealand's digital economy. Remember, a speed test is a snapshot; running it at different times of the day will give you the most accurate picture of your true broadband performance.
FAQ
What is a "good" speed test result on Chorus fibre? A good result is anything within 90% of your plan's advertised speed. For the now-standard 500 Mbps plan, you should ideally see 450+ Mbps on a wired connection.
Why is my speed test slower on Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi is subject to interference from walls and other electronics. In large NZ homes, signal strength can drop significantly just one or two rooms away from the router.
Which server should I choose for the Chorus speed test? Always select the server hosted by your broadband provider in the nearest city (Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch) to get the most accurate line reading.
Does a red light on my ONT mean the internet is broken? Yes. A red 'Optical' or 'LOS' light usually means the physical fibre line is severed or there is a fault at the exchange. You must contact your ISP to report this.
What is the "Big Fibre Boost" I heard about? Completed in 2025, this Chorus initiative permanently doubled or significantly increased the speeds of most entry and standard fibre plans at no wholesale cost.
Can my old laptop handle 1 Gbps fibre speeds? Probably not. To see 900+ Mbps, your laptop needs a "Gigabit" Ethernet port and sufficient CPU power to process the high-speed data stream.
Why does my ping change during the day? While fibre ping is stable, slight variations can occur during peak hours (7 PM – 11 PM) due to higher overall traffic on the local exchange.
Is there a free speed test app for New Zealand? Yes, the Ookla Speedtest app is free and widely used in NZ. Chorus also provides a free web-based tool on their site.
How do I join the official broadband performance project? You can sign up to be a broadband volunteer via the Measuring Broadband New Zealand website. If selected, you will receive a "Whitebox" to measure your line quality independently.
Does distance from the cabinet affect fibre speed? No. Unlike copper, fibre uses light and maintains the same speed regardless of how far your home is from the Chorus exchange.
