Who we are

Our role and purpose

In 2020, SafetyNet began life as Next Generation Critical Communications working with Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance to develop and deliver the Public Safety Network Te Kupenga Marutau. In 2026, SafetyNet was created by government as an independent Crown company with a new and enduring mandate to support the emergency services but also the wider public safety and emergency management sector.

We are responsible for the ongoing modernisation of emergency grade communications for New Zealand’s emergency services and the hundreds of other public safety organisations who help when people and communities need them. Those organisations rely on their cellular and radio communications, and other key technologies, to communicate and get essential information when and where they need it. Enabled by reliable, resilient communications their decisions and efficient operations result in good better results for our communities.

Working with government, the public safety sector and a global network of technology vendors and experts, SafetyNet’s critical communication services and solutions are supporting New Zealand for better everyday safety and large-scale emergency response and recovery.

Building a safer New Zealand for all

SafetyNet’s goal is to build strength and resilience across the wider public safety and emergency management sector with fast, seamless communications bridging multiple networks and organisations, and helping teams in the field keep their communities safe.

The Public Safety Network (PSN) was approved in 2022 with an investment of $1.7 billion over 10 years to build and operate the network and services and roll out new devices for the emergency services’ staff, stations and vehicles.

The PSN consists of three complementary elements: a 500-site digital Land Mobile Radio network now under construction; Cellular Roaming, Priority and Network Visibility Services now live, and the ongoing provision of personal alerting for Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Hato Hone St John.

Working with government, the emergency services and the wider public safety sector, SafetyNet will add new products and services to the PSN ecosystem. This will continue to increase the resilience and reliability of communications for the people who protect our communities, property and land.

We also provide Location Information Services to New Zealand’s emergency services. Globally, public safety and emergency management organisations are increasingly benefiting from the precise, rapid location information cellular technology can provide to help locate people in an emergency.

Partnerships and collaboration

SafetyNet’s approach to getting things done is one of ‘stronger together’. Collaboration is at the heart of our organisation and we cultivate and value a wide network of relationships we depend on to deliver for our customers and meet their evolving needs.

This includes working with Hourua(external link) who are responsible for the PSN Cellular Services and Tait Systems NZ(external link) who are responsible for the PSN Land Mobile Radio network.

We have a network of global relationships with critical communications technology vendors who understand the public safety and emergency management sector and their operational needs. We also have reciprocal relationships with international peer government organisations, including to share our respective research, technology relationships and operational insights.