Spark becomes technology partner for Parliamentary Service

Following a lengthy procurement process, the Parliamentary Service has named Spark as its new technology partner. Datacom previously held the role since 2011.

Spark has signed on as the Parliamentary Service's new Information, System and Technology (IST) partner.

According to William de Vos, Acting Chief Executive, Parliamentary Service, the changeover to Spark will assist with the delivery of the IST strategic direction and future technology roadmap for Parliament.

"The Parliamentary Service is dedicated to having the best people supporting the best Parliament in the world, and of course technology is a big enabler of our vision," says de Vos.

"We're excited to work with Spark to help us achieve that vision and embark on our next journey to deliver exemplary technology services to Parliament."  

"I am looking forward to our partnership with Parliamentary Service for the next step in their technology transformation journey in network and infrastructure, supporting them in their vision for information, systems and technology service delivery," says Grant McBeath, Customer Director, Spark.

This change comes after the NZ Parliament announced in 2019 that it was moving away from externally-contracted IT services and focusing on in-house IT for user support instead.

This move was likely a result of the 2017-2018 report released by the Parliamentary Service, which detailed how Datacom had failed to meet its targets in the year to 30 June 2018.

It revealed that the Parliamentary Services' Information Systems and Technology Services (ISTS) group, scored a user satisfaction level within the service of 62.6 per cent during the year, failing to reach its expected target of 80%.

The same report also showed that members of the parliamentary service, including annual whips, chiefs of staff and office managers, rated the overall satisfaction of the quality of ICT services an average of 3.13 out of 5, or 62.6%. An acceptable level of satisfaction for the Parliamentary Service is expected to be 70%.

Spark also announced in late 2022 a joint partnership with Vodafone to form Hourua, a new joint venture that will provide priority cellular services to the Public Safety Network, which is being established by Next Generation Critical Communications, Poutama Whai Tikanga Pāpāho.

The Public Safety Network is the new communications service that will be used by New Zealand's frontline emergency responders, including Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Police, St John, and Wellington Free Ambulance.

Priority cellular services will complement a new digital Land Mobile Radio network as the other key element of the Public Safety Network, which is being delivered by another vendor.