Case Study: New Zealand Police improves emergency communications and accessibility with Whispir

New Zealand Police - Customer Case Study

New Zealand Police needed a reliable way to give New Zealand’s deaf and hearing-impaired community access to emergency services, while also improving internal communications and field operations. Working with Whispir, they looked for an SMS-based approach that could support critical communications in a country prone to earthquakes and network disruption.

Whispir developed a customised “111 TXT” service, a consultative SMS engagement platform that lets registered users text emergency services directly. The solution improved safety and engagement for the deaf and hearing-impaired community, with over 700 users registered and relying on the service, and it also helped New Zealand Police maintain communications during the Christchurch earthquakes when fixed telephone networks failed. The project was recognised with an IPANZ award for public sector technology.

New Zealand Police

Clint Sommers

Business Analyst