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New Zealand Expands Public Safety Network Access

Improving Access to the Public Safety Network for Emergency Responders

A female paramedic from Hato Hone St John in a light blue uniform consults a clipboard with a Fire and Emergency New Zealand firefighter in full yellow turnout gear and helmet during an emergency response incident in New Zealand.
A paramedic and firefighter coordinate during an emergency response, representing the frontline services set to benefit from the expanded Public Safety Network announced by the New Zealand Government.

The Government is enhancing New Zealand’s Emergency Responder capability through the establishment of a new entity and an expanded mandate for Next Generation Critical Communications, announced by Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell.

According to Mr. Mitchell, around 25,000 frontline responders currently use the Public Safety Network cellular services, which provide improved coverage and reliability during emergencies. He stated that Cabinet has now authorised Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC) to broaden these services to the wider emergency management sector.

Mr. Mitchell noted that first responders and public safety personnel undertake demanding tasks and enter environments that most New Zealanders do not encounter. He said the initiative will assist them in operational settings and help ensure their safety and that of the public.

Since 2020, NGCC has been working on behalf of Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Hato Hone St John, and Wellington Free Ambulance to deliver the $1.4 billion Public Safety Network. The organisation will now extend support to a larger group of eligible users, including central and local government entities, not-for-profit organisations, and infrastructure and lifelines companies.

The Minister stated that with advanced emergency communications in place, New Zealand will be better prepared to respond to events experienced in recent years, such as Cyclones Gabrielle or Tam.

The new limited liability company will be listed in Schedule 4A of the Public Finance Act 1989. Its shareholding Ministers will be the Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery and the Minister of Finance.

Note to Editors

NGCC will provide the Public Safety Network’s Cellular Services on a user-pays basis to eligible organisations starting from mid-2026.

About Next Generation Critical Communications | Poutama Whai Tikanga Pāpāho

Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC) is the only government entity dedicated exclusively to critical communications for public safety in New Zealand. Its mission is to modernise communication capabilities for the country’s emergency services to enable more information delivery to more locations in real time. NGCC is responsible for delivering the new Public Safety Network solutions and cellular Location Information Services.

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