Land Mobile Radio network

A leading component of the Public Safety Network is a new digital, secure and encrypted national Land Mobile Radio network with sufficient resilience for emergency services to rely on it as a network of last resort.

The PSN Land Mobile Radio network will enable increased communications between the emergency services by providing common communication channels. It will also support push to talk communications, which are used extensively by the emergency services, and enable location services which supports the safety of frontline staff. 

The approximately 500 site Land Mobile Radio network is being delivered by Tait Systems NZ (external link)(external link) - a wholly owned subsidiary of Tait Communications. 

The manufacture and installation of more than 22,000 radio terminals for emergency vehicles, stations, buildings and personnel required to use the new network is well underway.

An encrypted and secure network

The project is using Project 25 (P25) technology. Key security features include end-to-end encryption, which scrambles voice and data so only authorised radios (those used by the emergency services) can understand it. It is a like a lock and key system – only those radios with the ‘key’ will be able to unscramble the data. 

End-to-end encryption ensures that the message is locked from the sender’s microphone to the receiver’s speaker.  Each radio has a unique ID number and any radios that are lost can be remotely disabled.

Security on their radio network gives police, firefighters and paramedics the ability to plan and operate unimpeded and to share what is often private and sensitive information.

These security features help keep emergency responders safe and also protect the public’s private information. 

Read stories about the Land Mobile Radio Network on our News page and on Tait Systems NZ's News(external link) page. 

You can also read our PSN Land Mobile Radio network info sheet [PDF, 1 MB].

Network build progress

Tait Systems NZ has acquired more than half (271) of the 500 sites needed for the LMR network. They have completed the build of radio transmission sites on 93 of those sites, 72 are currently under construction.  Initial testing begins on each site as soon as the build is completed.

Region-by-region delivery

The network will be built and rolled out across 11 regions.

As of November 2025, all radio transmission sites are built for Wellington. Canterbury requires two more sites to be built, while Auckland is on track to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. This covers where 60% of New Zealanders live and are served by the emergency services.

Work on the construction of radio transmission sites to cover the rest of New Zealand is also underway in the eight remaining LMR network regions. 

Testing will assure readiness and reliability

Following an early small-scale period of network testing in South Canterbury, NGCC, Tait Systems NZ and the emergency services are in a six-month period of extensive testing using a fully-functioning LMR network environment in Canterbury.

This includes the emergency services using operational scenarios, including those where they will be working together, to test technology, coverage and resilience, and all associated systems and processes.

This important period is about ensuring when emergency responders push the button on their radios using the new network, it will work every time. The safety of those responders and the public they serve depends on it.

While this is happening, emergency services in the area will continue to use existing radio networks for their daily operations.

Using the new radio network

Once thoroughly tested, each region is handed over to the emergency services throughout 2026 and 2027 to begin their progressive transition to using the new radio network.