The Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct will be fitted with the latest cloud-based and wireless telecommunications technology under an agreement signed between the Ministry of Justice and Spark.

The contract is part of the Telecommunications as a Service (TaaS) shared capability. The Precinct is due to open sometime after 1 July 2017 and the ministry says everyone working in the facility will be able to connect and collaborate wirelessly immediately. 

The $300 million Precinct will be home to the Ministry of Justice, New Zealand Police, Department of Corrections, New Zealand Fire Service, St John and Civil Defence.

An estimated 2,000 people will work in or use the 42,000 square metre five-floor Precinct every day. It will be located on the block defined by Lichfield, Colombo, Tuam and Durham Streets.

Ministry of Justice Chief Executive Andrew Bridgman says the Precinct’s ICT infrastructure will give the Ministry the tools it needs to deliver modern, accessible, people-centred justice services.

“The Precinct will be a world-class facility and the telecommunications services provided will truly represent a new way of working for the Ministry,” says Mr Bridgman.

“Our people in Christchurch will be able to work flexibly using secure ICT services without being bound to their desks. The mobile connectivity will improve the flow of information throughout the Precinct from front counters to busy court rooms, improving the service we deliver to the judiciary and our stakeholders while creating a more consistent experience for our customers.

“The services also allow agencies to easily connect with each other and customers who may be using multiple services at the Precinct, a great example of how the precinct will provide better public services through innovation and new ways of collaborating.”

Spark Digital Chief Executive Jolie Hodson says the equipment and infrastructure allows for easy upgrading.

“The underlying infrastructure being installed and the equipment being provided for the Ministry’s people are designed so that services can be easily and seamlessly updated, allowing the Precinct to continue innovating as technology develops into the future,” says Ms Hodson.