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Emergency services stories

Fragile 111 system poses fundamental risk - but replacement delayed again
Digital Transformation

Fragile 111 system poses fundamental risk - but replacement delayed again

A replacement for New Zealand's ageing 111 emergency call system has slipped to February, despite warnings it poses a fundamental risk to public safety.

By Phil Pennington • 5 min read • 2 days ago
Emergency services strike could affect 'tens of thousands' of travellers - Auckland Airport
Auckland Airport

Emergency services strike could affect 'tens of thousands' of travellers - Auckland Airport

Flights may be cancelled or diverted later this month if the airport's firefighters walk out, threatening disruption for tens of thousands of travellers.

By RNZ • 1 min read • 3 days ago
Three dead as car crashes through Auckland Burgerfuel restaurant while people inside
BurgerFuel

Three dead as car crashes through Auckland Burgerfuel restaurant while people inside

No one inside the Takanini BurgerFuel was hurt, but the crash left three occupants dead and raised fresh fears over street racing on Great South Road.

By RNZ • 5 min read • 5 days ago
Nine children sent to Wellington Hospital after head gasket blew on school bus
Te Papa Museum

Nine children sent to Wellington Hospital after head gasket blew on school bus

Smoke and fumes from a breakdown forced the evacuation of 44 passengers, with nine Wainuiomata Primary School students taken to hospital.

By Bill Hickman • 2 min read • Last week
'Small price to pay': Mackenzie joins rural health network
Emergency services

'Small price to pay': Mackenzie joins rural health network

Membership could give the Mackenzie District a stronger voice on rural health, as councillors backed $1200 to join a national network.

By Claire Taylor • 4 min read • Last week
Tait & Zetron launch New Zealand emergency radio network
Tait Communications

Tait & Zetron launch New Zealand emergency radio network

Police and fire crews are now using the new system, backed by NZD $1.7 billion over 10 years, with ambulance services to follow.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
Tait & Zetron complete New Zealand safety radio rollout
Tait Communications

Tait & Zetron complete New Zealand safety radio rollout

Emergency dispatchers across New Zealand now have a common console platform as the final stage of the public safety radio rollout nears completion.

By Mara Sugue • 4 min read • Last month
Without 3G 'rural mobile coverage has gone backwards'
Unified Communications

Without 3G 'rural mobile coverage has gone backwards'

A new report says many farmers now struggle to reach 111 after 3G was switched off, intensifying risks on remote properties.

By Rebecca Hogan • 3 min read • Last month
Fire chief backs $310k plan to lower Cambridge speed bumps
Emergency services

Fire chief backs $310k plan to lower Cambridge speed bumps

Residents and emergency crews stand to benefit as Waipā District Council moves to lower 12 speed bumps in Cambridge and Kihikihi for $310,000.

By Jordan Smith • 4 min read • Last month
Mystery buyer eyes up Kāpiti Coast airport
Housing

Mystery buyer eyes up Kāpiti Coast airport

A potential sale has raised hopes and fears over whether the Paraparaumu runway will stay open for scheduled flights and emergency landings.

By Justin Wong • 3 min read • Last month
Zetron named finalist for NZ emergency console project
Emergency services

Zetron named finalist for NZ emergency console project

Emergency crews are already using the new system, which replaces ageing platforms and will be rolled out to more agencies next year.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last month

Global Stories

Emergency services stories

GSMA warns climate damage to mobile networks tops GBP £3bn
Wildfire

GSMA warns climate damage to mobile networks tops GBP £3bn

Severe storms and floods could push annual repair bills for mobile operators above USD $3 billion by 2050, the industry body said.

By Mara Sugue • 3 min read • Last week
Zetron named finalist for New Zealand emergency system
Emergency services

Zetron named finalist for New Zealand emergency system

The project is part of a NZD $1.7 billion overhaul that will let emergency services in New Zealand share radio technology and coordinate faster.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Last month
Seatlr adds AI city guides & safety reports to app
Artificial Intelligence

Seatlr adds AI city guides & safety reports to app

Travellers can now get local guidance, community chat and four daily safety updates in one app, though it is no substitute for official sources.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last month
Australia needs more skilled workers. It also needs to stop wasting their time
Construction

Australia needs more skilled workers. It also needs to stop wasting their time

Technicians are losing up to two hours a day to admin, squeezing capacity and worsening delays as labour shortages bite across essential industries.

By Andrew Wiltshire • 5 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Emergency services stories

Austroads issues flood management guidance for roads
Risk & Compliance

Austroads issues flood management guidance for roads

The new guidance urges road agencies to plan for knock-on disruption to freight, public transport and emergency access when flooding hits.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month
Tasmania crime tips mostly now come via digital portal
Artificial Intelligence

Tasmania crime tips mostly now come via digital portal

The portal now supplies police with most public crime intelligence, as 84% of Tasmania tips arrived online in 2025 and 24% included images or video.

By Mara Sugue • 3 min read • Last month