What system is Tasman District Council (TDC) using to implement flood notifications?

TDC is using a Software as a Service (SaaS) system provided by TNZ Group Limited to implement flood notifications. This New Zealand-born company specializes in message delivery technology, streamlining business communications worldwide. For more information, please visit TNZ Group Limited.

What is the flood notifications process?

TDC receives a river or rainfall alarm via its own telemetry system. Using the TNZ system, a template message is sent in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) format to the mobile phone and/or landline or any registered recipient (client). This enables the efficient and timely distribution of flood notifications to many people at once.

How does the system work?

• When TDC receives a telemetry alarm, a message is sent through the TNZ system to all registered clients.
• Each client provides up to 3 phone numbers (1 main number and 2 alternatives).
• The client will receive the IVR phone call from the flood notifications line (03 546 2440).
• Clients are required to answer the phone call with speech e.g. “Hello”, even though they are aware it is an automated IVR. This ensures the system can distinguish between a human response and an answering machine.
• Each number provided is called up to 3 times, with the system checking for invalid numbers. It leaves a short message on an answer machine once (if encountered) and calls back every 2 minutes for failed transmissions.
• If the client answers, the IVR message will play 2 or more times based on their keypad interactions.
• The client needs to respond via the keypad on their cell or landline. A successful transmission is when the client pushes ‘2’ on the keypad (confirming they have received the IVR) or ‘1’ on the keypad during the call. Pressing ‘2’ on the keypad stops the IVR, and the TNZ system responds with "Great, thank you for confirming. Please pass this message on" and ends the call.
• A failed transmission is when the client hangs up without pressing 1 or 2, or presses only invalid keypads ('3' to '9' or '*' or '0' or '#'.
• If a failed transmission occurs (hangs up without pressing 1 or 2) the message will be resent.
• A follow up SMS message may also be sent to the client under certain conditions, if provided.

What information will be stored on TNZ's system?

• All information provided in the registration page.
• All registration page and TNZ system interactions.
• All information collected regarding message recipient consent will be retained for a period of two (2) years from the date each message is sent.

Please see our privacy statement for more information.