Tait Communications’ latest tech hits the road in emergency services vehicles

Christchurch, New Zealand, 11 December 2025 

Ambulances, fire appliances and police cars across New Zealand are being equipped with Tait Communications’ latest technology to ensure reliable connection when they need it most. 

Last week, Tait Communications and its subsidiary Tait Systems New Zealand (TSNZ) reached a major milestone: completing 100% of the installations in Hato Hone St John (HHStJ) ambulances. Work has also just begun on Fire and Emergency New Zealand appliances and the rollout in police vehicles continues, while Wellington Free Ambulance trials the new equipment.

Together, Tait Communications and TSNZ are delivering a highly secure, end-to-end encrypted digital Land Mobile Radio (LMR) network for New Zealand’s emergency services. Built on behalf of Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC), it will form part of the government’s new $1.4 billion Public Safety Network (PSN).

Over 7000 new Tait radios, repeaters and associated equipment need to be installed in vehicles so they can transition to the new modern digital LMR network built to Project 25 (P25) global standards.

All ambulances from HHStJ and Wellington Free Ambulance will be kitted out with TM9800 in-vehicle repeaters. Police vehicles are being installed with TM9800 in-vehicle repeaters and mobile radios, while Fire and Emergency New Zealand appliances will get TM9800 mobile radios and changeover boxes. Every vehicle needs cabling and antennas installed.

Ensuring emergency services have highly reliable and secure communications systems on the road is no easy feat.

Installations in HHStJ’s 760 vehicles began in October 2024. Over 100 staff from 14 Tait Service Providers and partners have been involved, totalling over 9000 hours of work across the country. All vehicles must be back on the road after fit-out and ready to go.

Tait Communications’ experts have worked closely with HHStJ to ensure quality control and support the teams who have been working hard to get equipment installed and tested. The team hosted HHStJ on its Christchurch campus recently to celebrate the outstanding collaboration between all those involved.

The majority of police cars in Canterbury have already had the new equipment installed, and more than a quarter of vehicles in Wellington have been fitted out as well. As the nationwide rollout in more than 3340 police vehicles continues, Tait has turned to Fire and Emergency New Zealand appliances.

Tait and its partners started installing equipment into Canterbury’s first fire appliances in November. The rest of the country will follow.

Wellington Free Ambulance vehicles are currently trialling new equipment in four vehicles, before full fleet installations begin in 2026.

Thousands of Tait’s radios are being deployed across vehicles, buildings and into the hands of first responders as part of the PSN project.

Separately, TSNZ is progressing well with the 500-site LMR network, which is being built across the country and often in some rugged terrain. More than half of the required transmission sites have been acquired, and Canterbury, Wellington and Auckland are nearly completely built.

The PSN will support around 25,000 frontline responders and the communities they serve.