New National Radio Network Launched to Enhance Emergency Response

The first phase of the Public Safety Network Land Mobile Radio (LMR) system has been initiated in a pilot area in South Canterbury, featuring eight digital radio transmission sites.

The Coalition Government has announced the launch of a new national radio network, designed to provide emergency responders with advanced, resilient, and secure communications technology. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden highlighted the network’s potential to enhance the safety and effectiveness of New Zealand’s emergency services.

The first phase of the Public Safety Network Land Mobile Radio (LMR) system has been initiated in a pilot area in South Canterbury, featuring eight digital radio transmission sites. Emergency services will use this pilot area to test the new radios in various operational scenarios. The insights gained from this testing will guide the nationwide rollout of the LMR network across eleven regions, a process set to continue through 2026.

“Our first responders—Ambulance Officers, Firefighters, and Police Officers—undertake challenging and risky tasks to ensure the safety of New Zealanders,” Minister Mitchell stated. “Reliable and secure communications are essential for coordinating these efforts, and the new Land Mobile Radio network will play a crucial role in safeguarding both the responders and the communities they serve.”

The network is fully encrypted, ensuring that only emergency services personnel can access transmissions, which significantly enhances the security of the information being shared.

“Eliminating outside disruptions will be transformative for our emergency services, improving the safety of frontline staff and ensuring the integrity of their communications,” Minister Mitchell added.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden expressed enthusiasm for the benefits the new network will bring to emergency services, emphasizing improvements in safety, operational efficiency, and productivity.

“For the first time in New Zealand’s history, the four emergency services agencies will share a single radio network,” Minister van Velden said. “This interoperability will lead to better coordination, enhanced safety for frontline personnel, and ultimately, greater service to the communities they protect.”

The new LMR network marks a significant step forward in supporting New Zealand’s emergency services, promising to strengthen the nation's overall resilience in times of crisis.