19 September 2025
A casual chat about how to connect communication blackspots around Tairāwhiti has led to an ingenious system that will work when all else fails.
It all started when Tairāwhiti went dark during Cyclone Gabrielle – all communications were cut off. Cell towers and data networks went offline and there was no Wi-Fi or phone coverage.
“There had to be a better way,” says Tairāwhiti Emergency Management (TEMO) Group Manager, Ben Green.
It led him to a conversation with Liam Cottle, a local, self-taught software engineering and radio communications expert.
Before the cyclone, Tairāwhiti already had black spots, but the issue was magnified during an emergency.
“Communication infrastructure is prone to failing,” says Mr Green. “That’s a real-time, today issue. Liam and I had a discussion around how we could solve the problem of communities without communications.”
A proof of concept was produced using a mesh communication system, Meshtastic, as a test bed. After testing identified technical limitations a new system called MeshCore was developed. It is a network where each device connects directly with others without relying on a central hub or cell tower.
Mr Cottle also designed an app and web interface that enables the users to text others on the network which connects to the Emergency Coordination Centre. TEMO has also invested in building solar powered repeaters that will create a backbone of the regional network.
“We wanted to embed a low cost but resilient communication network across the region that was easily deployable,” says Mr Green.
“Liam has taken a problem statement to create a bespoke solution for which he has developed and built MeshCore. This system improves on existing open-sourced solutions and has been designed as a complete regionally connected system that can operate off-grid, to provide secure, text-based messaging.”
“The user interface turns it into a command-and-control network that is easy to use. It is a low bandwidth slow system that is ideal for emergency communications.”
Ben says the potential for even more to come from the encrypted MeshCore system is exciting.
“StarLink was seen as the great hope, and it does well but recent events have shown that satellite systems can be affected and taken offline. For our regional emergency planning, we have at least six back up modes of communication and MeshCore is now one of those.”
There has been a revolving door of members of parliament visiting the TEMO Emergency Co-ordination Centre in Lytton West, and Mr Green says he loves to show them the initiatives being rolled out in one of the nation’s most disaster-hit areas.
“This is real bang for buck for the taxpayer dollar,” he says. “MeshCore provides a capability that would otherwise costs thousands of dollars.”
Mr Cottle works alongside other like-minded engineers in Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe.
“There are lots playing with this technology all over the world, but not the way we are doing it here,” he says.
All the comms you'll need ... Liam Cottle (left) and TEMO group manager Ben Green with the comms they lean on when all else fails.