NZ Expands Emergency Comms Network with New Entity to Boost Responder Safety

Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell made the announcement, calling the development a vital investment in resilience, responder safety, and national disaster preparedness.

New Zealand’s emergency response infrastructure is set to receive a major upgrade, with the Government announcing the creation of a new limited liability company and a broadened mandate for the Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC) programme. The move is designed to significantly enhance communications capability across the country’s frontline emergency and public safety sectors.

Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell made the announcement, calling the development a vital investment in resilience, responder safety, and national disaster preparedness.

“Our first responders and those who work in public safety are simply outstanding. This change will support them in operational situations and enable them to keep themselves and the public safe,” said Mitchell.

Expansion of the Public Safety Network

At the heart of this initiative is the Public Safety Network (PSN), a $1.4 billion nationwide programme that provides secure, reliable, and integrated communication services to frontline emergency responders.

Since 2020, NGCC has been delivering the PSN on behalf of four major agencies:

• New Zealand Police

• Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ)

• Hato Hone St John

• Wellington Free Ambulance

Today, around 25,000 emergency responders already use the network's cellular services, which provide improved coverage, security, and reliability during high-pressure events and emergencies.

Now, Cabinet has approved the expansion of this critical service to a broader group of users.

Broader Mandate for Emergency Response

Under the new structure, NGCC will extend service access to:

• Other central and local government emergency agencies

• Not-for-profit emergency response organisations

• Infrastructure and lifeline utility providers

This expanded mandate reflects the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of modern emergency response operations. Events like Cyclone Gabrielle and Cyclone Tam have shown that robust, real-time communication between all emergency stakeholders is essential to protect lives and property.

“With top-tier emergency communications in place, New Zealand will be better prepared to respond to the variety of disasters we have seen over the past few years,” Mitchell said.

New Company Structure and Oversight

To manage this expanded role, the Government will establish a new limited liability company, which will appear on Schedule 4A of the Public Finance Act 1989. This classification allows it to operate with some commercial flexibility while maintaining accountability to the Crown.

The new entity’s Shareholding Ministers will be:

• The Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery

• The Minister of Finance

This structure ensures both financial oversight and alignment with national emergency priorities.

What the Public Safety Network Delivers

The PSN provides a secure, interoperable, and high-availability communications platform for emergency services. This includes:

• Mission-critical cellular services, offering priority voice, messaging, and data access

• Future radio network upgrades

• Unified communications across agencies during crises

• Resilient network coverage even in remote or high-risk areas

In practical terms, this means first responders can:

• Communicate across agencies without delay

• Share real-time information from the field

• Coordinate more effectively during multi-agency disasters

A Strategic Move for a Disaster-Prone Nation

As climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters, New Zealand faces rising risks from storms, floods, and earthquakes. Enhancing emergency communications is a strategic investment in national security and public safety, ensuring responders across the country have the tools they need when lives are on the line.

This initiative also aligns with the Government’s broader goals of improving infrastructure resilience, modernising public services, and supporting front-line workers with world-class systems.

What’s Next?

The newly formed company will begin scaling up support for eligible emergency and lifeline organisations in 2025. This includes onboarding new users, strengthening coverage, and integrating services into wider emergency planning frameworks.

The full rollout of enhanced Public Safety Network capabilities is expected to continue over the next several years as part of New Zealand’s long-term emergency readiness programme.