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Without 3G 'rural mobile coverage has gone backwards'
5G & Beyond

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 • 2 days ago
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 week
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 week
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 • This month
'Enough is enough': New Zealand First wants to ban fireworks
New Zealand Labour Party

'Enough is enough': New Zealand First wants to ban fireworks

Animals, homes and emergency crews could be spared disruption if New Zealand First wins support for its proposed fireworks ban.

By Craig McCulloch • 3 min read • This month
Vulnerable 114-year-old bridge into Martinborough closing for debris removal
Emergency services

Vulnerable 114-year-old bridge into Martinborough closing for debris removal

Drivers to Martinborough face two days of delays this week as flood debris is cleared from the only direct road link into town.

By Emily Ireland • 4 min read • This month
Gisborne council votes to close Titirangi Maunga roads to vehicles overnight
Māori

Gisborne council votes to close Titirangi Maunga roads to vehicles overnight

Night-time vehicle access to Titirangi Maunga will end in early 2027, after residents backed gates to curb dumping and vandalism.

By Imogen Brophy • 4 min read • This month
Waimārama Beach proposal would ban cars and utes, require ATV permits
Local Government

Waimārama Beach proposal would ban cars and utes, require ATV permits

Concerns over safety and dune damage could see full vehicle bans at Waimārama Beach, with permits reserved for ATVs and exempt users.

By Linda Hall • 5 min read • Last month
Steam train operator 'shocked and devastated' after death at station
Emergency services

Steam train operator 'shocked and devastated' after death at station

Passengers were left traumatised after a person died at Te Awamutu station on Sunday evening, prompting a police investigation.

By RNZ Digital reporters • 2 min read • Last month

Global Stories

Emergency services stories

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 • 3 days ago
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 • This month
Eylex named exclusive INVISIO distributor in Australia
Procurement

Eylex named exclusive INVISIO distributor in Australia

The deal gives defence and public safety agencies in Australia and New Zealand local technical, servicing and warranty support for INVISIO systems.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • This month
Dell launches their rugged laptops for field workers
Manufacturing

Dell launches their rugged laptops for field workers

The new models aim to give utilities, emergency crews and factory teams tougher, better-connected kit for work away from the office.

By Raphael Veloso • 3 min read • This 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 • This 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 • This month
Bangkok student builds flood map used 13,000 times
Smart Cities

Bangkok student builds flood map used 13,000 times

The free site helped commuters check flooded routes during Bangkok's disaster zone conditions, logging more than 13,000 uses in its first day.

By Raphael Veloso • 4 min read • This month
Panasonic launches rugged TOUGHBOOK G3 for field workers
Unified Communications

Panasonic launches rugged TOUGHBOOK G3 for field workers

Field crews can work longer between charges as the new model adds hot-swappable batteries, 5G and local AI processing for remote sites.

By Raphael Veloso • 4 min read • This month