Climb for a cause: Tait tackles the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge

Christchurch, New Zealand 10 June 2026 

Fifty-one flights of stairs, 1,103 steps, 25kg of gear and over $12,200 raised for charity.

Tait Communications was proud to be an event partner of the 2026 Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge, helping fund vital blood cancer research, raise awareness, and support patients and their families.

More than 1,102 firefighters from 279 brigades ran up Auckland’s Sky Tower on 23 May to raise vital funds for Blood Cancer NZ. As part of the event partnership, Tait’s Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator Matthew Dell joined them.

Wearing 25kg of firefighting kit and equipped with a Tait P25 TP9800 Mulitband, C-C550 Speaker Mic (RSM) and m-View Matrix 2 Plus Body Worn Camera, Matthew completed the challenge in 14 minutes and 31 seconds.

Through fundraising efforts and staff donations matched by Tait, he raised $12,297 making him the event’s seventh-highest fundraiser.

Matthew says he was proud to take part in the Blood Cancer NZ Partners team.

“From the Tait staff challenge to determine who would represent the company at the event, to fundraising, training with local firefighters, promotion, and taking part on the day, it was an incredible opportunity for a great cause,” he says.

“The event staff and firefighters were so welcoming and thankful, and the atmosphere on the day was absolutely amazing. Tait came together and raised over twice the goal for partners, and this money will make a real difference for people and families dealing with blood cancers in New Zealand.”

Eight people are diagnosed with blood cancer or a related blood condition in New Zealand every day. Overall, this year’s Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge raised $2,518,774 for Blood Cancer NZ, up from $2 million in 2024.

Tait's products are used by fire and emergency personnel around the world, so the event partnership was the perfect fit.

“This event allowed me to experience a small portion of the fatigue and heat that firefighters have to deal with when responding to emergencies every day,” Matthew says.

“With the fatigue, exhaustion, and overheating they will experience in emergencies, combined with the bulky jacket, helmet, and gloves, it is clear how important it is to have fit for purpose radios and accessories to improve usability and response times on the front line.”

Matthew used the TP9800 and C-C550 Speaker Mic to communicate with the Tait support crew, who were waiting at the finish line at the top of the tower with a TP9900 Multiband Multiprotocol portable.

The Matrix 2 Plus camera captured the climb from Matthew’s perspective – preserving the experience and effort behind the challenge.

So, would he do it again?

“In a heartbeat. I would do it again tomorrow given the chance!”