Tait and Zetron Deliver Voice Console Technology for New Zealand’s Public Safety Network
Tait Communications and Zetron have successfully implemented advanced voice console technology to support emergency services across New Zealand. The deployment marks an important milestone in the country’s Public Safety Network (PSN), providing emergency response agencies with reliable, secure and interoperable communications capabilities.
Tait Communications, a global provider of critical communications solutions, partnered with Zetron, a specialist in command and control technologies, to deliver voice consoles for agencies using the new Public Safety Network Land Mobile Radio (LMR) system. Crown company SafetyNet Critical Communications (SafetyNet) brought the participating agencies together and supported collaboration among Tait, Zetron and emergency services throughout the project.
The implementation was completed in the first half of 2026. New Zealand Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand have already migrated to the new voice console solution and are using the technology. Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance are expected to follow.
Strengthening Emergency Communications
Voice console technology plays a vital role in emergency response operations. It enables dispatchers to communicate with first responders in the field, coordinate incidents and share essential information efficiently. Reliable communications are particularly important during emergencies, when agencies must respond quickly and maintain clear coordination across teams.
Zetron’s voice console solution is designed to support these demanding operational requirements. Its deployment across New Zealand’s nationwide P25-based LMR network will help emergency services maintain dependable communications while improving interoperability between participating agencies.
Since 2022, Tait Communications has played a leading vendor role in building the Public Safety Network’s LMR infrastructure. The network uses Project 25 (P25) standards-based technology, designed to provide secure, resilient and reliable radio communications for public safety organisations.
The initiative forms a key part of the New Zealand Government’s broader investment in modernising critical communications infrastructure and strengthening emergency response capabilities.
Yoram Benit, PhD, CEO and Managing Director of Tait Communications, highlighted the importance of open standards and collaboration in delivering the project.
“Tait’s open-standards interoperable technology allows our customers to select the best technology partners to best serve their needs,” Benit said. He added that Zetron’s participation in Tait’s Technology Partner Program supports the delivery of a robust mission-critical radio network for New Zealand’s emergency services.
A Long-Standing Technology Partnership
Tait Communications and Zetron have a long history of working together to deliver critical communications networks around the world. Their latest collaboration builds on a shared commitment to reliable, standards-based technologies that provide flexibility and interoperability for public safety organisations.
Zetron has more than 40 years of experience delivering critical communications solutions globally. Under the New Zealand deployment, its voice consoles will support communications across the nationwide P25 network.
The technology is also compatible with broader SafetyNet communications initiatives, including broadband push-to-talk (PTT) over cellular networks and 3GPP standards-based mission-critical communications (MCX). These capabilities can support voice, video and other data services, providing a foundation for future communications requirements.
Scott French, President and Executive General Manager of Zetron, said the company was pleased to work with Tait on the Public Safety Network initiative.
He noted that both companies share a commitment to high-quality, standards-based solutions that give customers greater interoperability, flexibility and choice. Their collaboration aims to ensure emergency services can select technologies suited to their operational requirements throughout the emergency response process.
SafetyNet also recognised Zetron’s contribution to the project. Steve Lawrence, Head of Product, Design and Innovation at SafetyNet, described Zetron as a genuine partner that worked closely with the organisation and participating agencies.
According to Lawrence, Zetron took a proactive approach, worked openly throughout the implementation and invested time in understanding the operational needs of SafetyNet and its emergency services customers. This collaboration helped deliver additional value beyond the project’s initial requirements.
Supporting Interoperable Mission-Critical Communications
Mission-critical voice communications are essential to the daily operations of police, fire and ambulance services. During major incidents, reliable communication can help responders coordinate activities, exchange information and make timely decisions.
Interoperable, standards-based systems enable agencies to communicate across different networks and user groups. This flexibility helps public safety organisations benefit from best-of-breed technologies while maintaining dependable communications.
The integration of Zetron’s voice console technology into New Zealand’s P25 network brings these capabilities together within a nationally coordinated framework. SafetyNet Critical Communications provides governance and aggregation oversight, supporting an interoperable solution designed for use by multiple public safety agencies.
The deployment represents an important step towards a more connected emergency communications environment, helping agencies work together more effectively and supporting the safety of communities across New Zealand.
About New Zealand’s Public Safety Network
The Public Safety Network is a major national critical communications infrastructure programme involving an investment of NZ$1.7 billion over 10 years. The initiative covers the development and operation of communications networks and services, alongside the rollout of new devices for emergency services personnel, stations and vehicles.
The programme includes three key elements. The first is the P25-based Land Mobile Radio network, which is being delivered by SafetyNet Critical Communications on behalf of New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Wellington Free Ambulance and Hato Hone St John.
The second element comprises PSN Cellular Services. Cellular Roaming allows users to move between Spark and One NZ networks, while Cellular Priority is designed to give emergency services users priority access to both networks during congestion or service degradation.
The third element involves modernising personal alerting technology, including systems used to mobilise emergency service volunteers.
Together, these initiatives are intended to strengthen the communications infrastructure that emergency services depend on every day
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