The head of New Zealand's infrastructure body says basic cellphone coverage is essentially a human right now, and installing it should be a priority.

Haast residents don't have mobile reception, and won't get it until 2022 - which they say is too long.

People can't even call 111 in emergencies from a mobile.

Infrastructure New Zealand's chief executive Stephen Selwood says that seems incredible.

READ MORE: Haast local - No cellphone reception can be a matter of life or death

He says there are challenges, but getting it to these communities should be a priority before 2022.

"A long-term delay does seem too long in today's world.

"I would say, where there's a will there's a way but of course, there will always be a trade-off between who drops down the queue in order to bring this up the queue."

Telecommunications Users Association chief executive, Craig Young says the reason telco providers haven't done it yet is because it costs too much compared to the return they'd likely get.

He says they're only doing it now that the Government's offered them significant amounts of public money.

READ MORE: Haast demands cellphone reception

But he says it's still happening too slowly, and there are important public safety factors - like emergency situations - for which cellphone coverage is essential.

"I think the government is on the right track with the contracts they've got in place, we'd just like to see it delivered quicker and faster to these priority places."

However, help does seem to be on the way with Communications Minister Clare Curran's furious progress has been so slow, calling it unacceptable.

She'll visit the town, but doesn't yet know if it's possible to bring that date forward.

"I think that there has to be a better solution for the people, not just of Haast, but along that whole strip that does not have cellphone coverage."

She might have to honour the previous Government's contracts with telcos.