Ministers Mark Mitchell and Casey Costello today announced the launch of a new digital service, delivered by Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC), designed to significantly improve emergency response times and enhance public safety across New Zealand.

The new Device Location Information (DLI) service enables emergency services to more quickly locate individuals who may be missing or in danger—even when the person in need has not made the emergency call themselves. Approximately one in five 111 calls relate to concerns about someone else’s safety, making this advancement a vital tool for frontline responders.

Through DLI, Hato Hone St John, Police, Wellington Free Ambulance, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand can now access the approximate location of a mobile phone belonging to a person believed to be at serious risk of harm.

“When every second counts, having access to real-time digital technology is a game changer for our emergency services and for public safety,” said Minister Mark Mitchell.

The launch was officially marked today at Hato Hone St John in Auckland, attended by Ministers, NGCC leaders, and representatives from the emergency services sector.

Peter Bradley, Chief Executive of Hato Hone St John, emphasized the life-saving potential of the new capability: “The ability to quickly locate a person whose life or health is at serious risk, but who cannot call for help themselves, can mean the difference between life and death.”

To ensure the service is applied responsibly, robust privacy safeguards have been established in line with the Telecommunications Information Privacy Code. This includes a two-step authorisation process, transparent reporting to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, and follow-up communication to the individual whose phone was located—provided it does not compromise their safety.

The DLI service builds on the success of the Emergency Caller Location Information (ECLI) service, also delivered by NGCC, which automatically provides location details when a person dials 111 from a mobile device.