FECA and Fire and Emergency New Zealand settle leadership contract

by Breaking News

New Zealand agreement covers leadership roles

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has confirmed a new collective employment agreement with the Fire and Emergency Commanders Association (FECA), covering operational firefighting management, District Commanders, Assistant District Commanders and senior specialist positions.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said FECA members ratified the agreement on 2 March 2026 after 14 days of negotiations and an Offer to Settle made on 23 February 2026.

The agreement was presented as applying to leadership roles across operational command and specialist functions.

Fire and Emergency Chief Executive Kerry Gregory said: “This agreement is about strengthening leadership across Fire and Emergency so we can deliver the best possible outcomes for our communities.

“Securing a new agreement is critical to our leadership capability, operational stability, and our ability to deliver on our strategic direction and organisational change objectives.

“Just as importantly, it ensures our frontline leaders are aligned, supported, and empowered to perform at their best.

“It is an important milestone to have this contract settled, as it builds on the progress we made last September when we signed a Strategic Relationship Agreement with the United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA), who represent more than 650 volunteer brigades across the country.”

FECA backs relationship and change measures

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the agreement formalises FECA’s support for key leadership and cultural change initiatives and reinforces relationships with volunteers.

FECA President Geoff Purcell said: “Our members command, lead, manage and support paid and volunteer firefighters across the motu.

“This agreement acknowledges their professionalism, their national responsibilities, and their commitment to serving communities.

“We’re particularly pleased to see the Strategic Relationship Panel formalised, providing a structured and collaborative forum where operational leaders can work closely with Fire and Emergency on issues that matter most.”

Gregory thanked FECA for what he described as a constructive approach to the settlement and said the agreement allows the organisation to focus on protecting people, the environment and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Fire and rescue New Zealand strikes explained as NZPFU dispute continues

by Breaking News

Fire and rescue New Zealand strike action and current response model

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) remain in collective agreement negotiations that have been accompanied by repeated one-hour strike periods affecting career firefighters.

The industrial action has taken the form of stoppages between 12pm and 1pm on selected Fridays, with nine strike hours recorded by mid-January.

During the most recent strike hour on Friday 16 January 2026, FENZ reported receiving calls for 11 incidents nationwide.

Ten of those incidents occurred in areas affected by the strike, according to the organisation.

Six of the calls were automatic fire alarms that did not result in a fire.

The remaining incidents in strike-affected areas included a quad bike crash, a call reporting a dog locked in a vehicle and a reported car fire that was later found to be a false alarm.

FENZ said it responded to those incidents using available resources.

One medical emergency was not attended by firefighters during the strike hour and was handled by Hato Hone St John under an existing contingency arrangement.

FENZ has consistently published strike-hour incident summaries as part of its public reporting on how emergency demand is managed when paid crews are unavailable.

The organisation has also highlighted the role of its volunteer workforce during these periods, alongside senior officers and communications centre staff.

Further one-hour strikes have been scheduled for Friday 23 January and Friday 30 January.

Why Fire and rescue New Zealand is pushing a “community safety process”

FENZ says it has asked NZPFU officials to agree to what it describes as a “community safety process” to apply during strike hours.

The organisation presents this as a defined framework that would allow career firefighters to be called in for a limited set of high-risk scenarios during industrial action.

Those scenarios are described as including incidents involving potential loss of life, fires with a strong likelihood of spread and events requiring specialist equipment.

Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler said: “Our aim was to put arrangements in place to mitigate the risk to public safety during strikes, while preserving NZPFU members’ right to take industrial action.”

FENZ has linked the renewed emphasis on this proposal to a large building fire in Pakuranga, Auckland, that occurred during a strike hour on Friday 9 January.

The fire became a focal point in the dispute after response times and available resources were discussed publicly.

RNZ reported that volunteer crews and senior officers attended the Pakuranga incident, with additional volunteer crews travelling from further afield.

RNZ also reported that FENZ said the nearest volunteer crews took around 30 minutes to reach the scene, while the closest career station would have arrived in approximately seven minutes under normal conditions.

Within that context, FENZ has argued that formalising escalation arrangements during strike hours would reduce risk when high-consequence incidents occur.

The organisation has also said it believes emergency services have an obligation to work together on strike-period arrangements due to the nature of their work.

How NZPFU and the law frame strike-hour responsibilities

NZPFU’s public position, as reported by RNZ, is that contingency arrangements are already intended to manage emergency response during lawful strike action.

NZPFU national secretary Wattie Watson told RNZ: “That’s a really poor inditement on their priorities.”

RNZ reported that Watson also rejected suggestions that volunteers and career firefighters were being placed in opposition, stating that both groups routinely work alongside one another.

Beyond the immediate dispute, the legal framework for strikes in essential services provides important context for how both sides describe their obligations.

Employment New Zealand guidance explains that strikes are lawful only when required notice is given, including notice to the employer and the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The guidance states that notice requirements are intended to allow time for negotiation, mediation and contingency planning.

It also sets out the information that must be included in a strike notice, including timing, duration and scope.

In practice, this framework means strike hours are known in advance, allowing emergency services to plan alternative coverage for that defined period.

FENZ’s reporting approach focuses on showing how those plans operate in real conditions, including which incidents are attended, which are handled by partner agencies and where volunteer response fills gaps.

NZPFU’s position centres on the view that agreed contingency planning is the appropriate mechanism for managing response during industrial action.

Those positions now sit alongside ongoing facilitated bargaining, with FENZ confirming further facilitation sessions scheduled for late January.

The combination of continued strike notices, live negotiations and public scrutiny following the Pakuranga fire has placed unusual attention on how emergency cover is structured during short, planned stoppages.

The outcome of facilitation may determine whether the current response model remains unchanged or whether a formalised strike-hour escalation process is agreed.

Until then, Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s strike-hour reporting and NZPFU’s defence of existing contingency arrangements continue to frame a dispute where industrial law, operational planning and public expectations intersect.

New Zealand firefighter strikes prompt safety warnings and call for facilitation progress

by Featured News

Overview of strike action and facilitation in New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has reported further one-hour strikes by members of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, alongside an Employment Relations Authority decision to send the long-running pay dispute to facilitation and contingency plans aimed at maintaining emergency cover.

Across multiple updates, Fire and Emergency New Zealand has set out incident numbers during the latest strike hour, the role of volunteers and commanders in maintaining response, public safety advice and the details of its latest three-year pay offer for senior firefighters.

The organisation has also highlighted its wider investment in fleet, stations and training, and the constraints of an operating budget funded largely through insurance levies on New Zealand property and vehicles.

New Zealand incident volumes during strike hour

In a report dated Friday 5 December 2025, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it received 26 incident calls between 12:00 and 13:00 during the latest one-hour strike by New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union members.

The organisation reported that 13 of these incidents occurred in areas affected by the industrial action.

Seven of the incidents in strike-affected areas involved fire alarms that did not result in an actual fire.

The remaining six incidents in those areas comprised one motor vehicle crash, two minor non-fire events and three medical emergencies.

An Assistant Commander attended the vehicle crash in Hillcrest, Auckland, supported by two volunteer crews from local brigades.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said Hato Hone St John responded to medical incidents in line with contingency arrangements agreed for the strike period.

The organisation said the two minor incidents, involving a trapped cat and a ring removal, were handled after the one-hour strike ended.

It reported that three Christchurch crews later assisted Hato Hone St John with a hazardous substances incident in Woolston once the strike window had closed.

Volunteer crews and contingency deployment

Fire and Emergency New Zealand stated that volunteer brigades continued to respond to incidents as normal within their areas during the strike hour.

Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler said the organisation was relying on its extensive volunteer base to maintain cover.

Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler said: “On International Volunteer Day thank you also to our more than 11,000 volunteers across the country, and their employers for supporting them to respond over today’s strike hour.”

She also thanked operational leadership for managing the contingency arrangements across New Zealand.

Stiffler added: “I would also like to thank our Operational Commanders and Communication Centre Managers, who contributed to the response.”

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said its communications centres and command staff implemented plans to prioritise emergency calls in areas where paid firefighters were on strike.

The organisation confirmed that volunteers were dispatched from their own stations in their usual appliances, as they would be during periods of multiple simultaneous incidents.

Bargaining position and operational investment

In the same report, Fire and Emergency New Zealand set out its current bargaining position with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union on a new collective employment agreement for paid firefighters.

The organisation said its most recent offer represented a 6.2% increase over three years, which it said compared favourably with other public sector settlements.

According to the organisation, this offer would increase average senior firefighter remuneration from approximately $80,700–$87,400 to $85,800–$92,900 by the end of the term, excluding overtime and allowances that currently add an average of $38,800 a year.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand noted that average senior firefighter pay had increased by 37% over the past decade, which it said was more than 10% above the average total increase for all workers.

The organisation also referenced the previous 2022 collective agreement, which it said delivered cumulative wage rises of up to 24% over three years for paid firefighters.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand stated that it is investing in fleet replacement, with 317 new trucks delivered since 2017 and another 78 on order, supported by an annual truck replacement spend of more than $20 million.

It said there is an ongoing programme of station upgrades and training investment alongside the pay offer.

The organisation reported an operating budget of $857.9 million for the 2025/26 financial year, with 59% allocated directly to frontline operations and a further 32% to what it termed frontline enablers.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said that, in total, more than 90% of its operating budget is directed to frontline activity and staff who directly support response.

Referral to facilitation by Employment Relations Authority

In a separate report dated Thursday 4 December 2025, Fire and Emergency New Zealand welcomed an Employment Relations Authority decision to refer its bargaining with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union to facilitation.

The organisation said the parties had been in negotiations for more than 16 months on a collective employment agreement for paid firefighters.

It described facilitation as the next step in progressing the dispute towards a settlement.

Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler said: “Attending independent facilitation with the Authority is the next logical step in coming to an agreement and we will participate in good faith with the NZPFU.”

She said Fire and Emergency New Zealand wanted the facilitation process to influence expectations on settlement terms.

Stiffler added: “We hope the facilitation process introduces some realism into the discussions.The NZPFU’s most recent settlement proposal was more than three times higher than our last offer, which we believe was fair, sustainable, and reasonable and in line with other settlements across the public service.”

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the Authority had indicated it would hold a case management conference to set up facilitation arrangements.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand pay offer detail

In its facilitation-focused report, Fire and Emergency New Zealand repeated that its latest proposal amounted to a 6.2% average increase for firefighters over three years.

It said the offer would move average senior firefighter salaries from a range of about $81,000–$87,000 to about $86,000–$93,000 over the life of the agreement, excluding overtime and allowances that currently add almost $39,000 on average.

The organisation said it believed this represented a fair and sustainable increase for staff and remained consistent with other collective agreements across the public service.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand reiterated that, over the previous decade, average senior firefighter pay had risen by 37%, which it described as more than 10% above the average total rise for all workers.

It said it valued the commitment of career firefighters and stated it was seeking a settlement that maintained community safety while remaining financially manageable.

Levy funding and bargaining timeline

Fire and Emergency New Zealand noted that around 95% of its operations are funded through a levy on New Zealanders’ building, contents and vehicle insurance.

The organisation said it was conscious of the cost of living pressures that could result from large increases in levies if operating costs rose sharply.

It reported that the bargaining process with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union had been running since July 2024.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand stated that it had approached talks in what it described as good faith, with an emphasis on reaching a settlement that aligns pay with available funding and supports reliable emergency cover.

The organisation said the facilitation process offers the best opportunity for progress on the collective agreement.

Stiffler added that Fire and Emergency New Zealand viewed facilitation as the appropriate forum for resolving differences between the parties’ respective proposals.

Strikes proceed despite facilitation decision

In a third report, dated Friday 5 December 2025, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it was extremely disappointed that New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union members would carry out another one-hour strike between 12:00 and 13:00, even after facilitation had been granted by the Employment Relations Authority.

The organisation said the Authority’s decision to refer the dispute to facilitation had been issued the previous day.

Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler said Fire and Emergency New Zealand wanted all planned strikes cancelled while preparations for facilitation were under way.

Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler said: “NZPFU members will walk off the job again between 12-1pm today.”

Stiffler went on: “This comes after a decision by the Authority yesterday to refer both parties to facilitation to help make progress in ongoing negotiations.

“We ask the NZPFU to call off all planned future strikes while both parties are preparing for facilitation.

“There is no good reason for continuing to put the community at risk while we go through that process.”

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it would continue to answer emergency calls and respond to incidents during the strike hour but warned that responses in affected areas would be slower.

The organisation said it would prioritise higher-risk incidents during the strike period and might not attend less serious calls in urban areas.

Public urged to take extra care

In its 5 December report, Fire and Emergency New Zealand advised people, particularly in cities and towns served by paid firefighters, to be especially careful with fire safety during the strike window.

The organisation urged businesses to review any work practices that could create ignition risks and to ensure tenants understood their evacuation schemes and procedures.

It encouraged members of the public to check smoke alarms and household escape plans ahead of the planned one-hour stoppage.

Stiffler added specific advice for anyone affected by a fire during the strike period.

Stiffler said: “We are advising everyone that, should there be a fire, they should evacuate early and, once out, stay out, and call 111.”

She said Fire and Emergency New Zealand would continue to respond to emergency calls but would need to focus resources on higher priority incidents while paid firefighters were off duty.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand stated that examples of lower priority incidents that might not receive a response during the strike hour included private fire alarms where there was no evidence of fire, small rubbish fires, traffic management assistance and animal rescues.

The organisation confirmed it had notified Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance that volunteer crews would not be available for medical calls outside their own areas during the strike period.

Volunteers, service coverage and bargaining reference

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said that most communities across the country would not be directly affected by the one-hour strike because they are served primarily by volunteers.

The organisation reported that more than 11,800 volunteers operate from nearly 600 stations throughout New Zealand.

Stiffler used the 5 December report to acknowledge the contribution of volunteers and their supporters.

Stiffler said: “I want to reassure people that this strike action will not affect most of the country.”

She continued: “The vast majority of communities are served by our more than 11,800 volunteers in nearly 600 stations across New Zealand, who will respond as usual.

“I want to say a special thank you to all our volunteer personnel today, on International Volunteer Day.

“They are the backbone of Fire and Emergency, and we couldn’t serve New Zealand communities without them.

“I would also like to extend a thanks to our volunteers’ employers and whanau, who support them to respond.”

In the same report, Fire and Emergency New Zealand repeated its view that facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority is the appropriate mechanism for making progress in bargaining with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.

It reiterated its description of the 6.2% three-year offer and the 37% cumulative increase in average senior firefighter pay over the past decade, and restated its position that the latest proposal is fair, sustainable and consistent with other public service agreements.

Industrial action and public safety in New Zealand

Senior officers in fire and rescue organisations may use these reports to assess how short, pre-planned strike periods interact with call volumes, contingency plans and the balance between career and volunteer coverage across New Zealand.

Emergency and disaster response managers can draw on the incident data and prioritisation approach described by Fire and Emergency New Zealand when planning how to manage reduced capacity while maintaining response to higher-risk incidents.

Government departments and policy teams involved in funding, workforce regulation and industrial relations can reference the pay offer, historical wage increases and levy-funded budget context set out in the bargaining updates.

Training officers and incident commanders may review the way operational command, communications centres and volunteer brigades were deployed during the one-hour strike windows to inform exercises and internal guidance on similar events.

Facility managers and fire safety officers in cities and towns served by paid firefighters can apply the safety advice issued for strike periods, including reinforced evacuation procedures, smoke alarm checks and closer attention to work activities that could create ignition risks.

New Zealand firefighters bargaining deadlock leads to Employment Relations Authority referral

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured News

New Zealand facilitation request over firefighters dispute

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has applied to the Employment Relations Authority for independent facilitation in its long-running industrial dispute with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union over a collective agreement for paid firefighters.

The organisation said the application was lodged ahead of an investigation meeting scheduled for Tuesday 25 November 2025.

Bargaining between Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union has been under way since 16 July 2024.

The organisation described the process as protracted and linked the move to facilitation to ongoing strike action and its impact on public safety.

Megan Stiffler, Deputy National Commander at Fire and Emergency New Zealand, said: “We’re asking the Employment Relations Authority to provide facilitation to help bring the parties together because of the protracted nature of bargaining and the impact on public safety from prolonged and repeated strike action.

“There’s a gulf between us at the moment.

“Moving to facilitated bargaining is the next logical step to resolve the dispute and keep our communities safe.

“We’ve approached bargaining in good faith with the goal of reaching a fair, sustainable, and reasonable settlement with the NZPFU.”

Bargaining positions and firefighters pay offer

Fire and Emergency New Zealand stated that the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union’s most recent settlement proposal is more than three times the value of its own offer.

The organisation said the union position is outside its bargaining parameters after more than 16 months of talks.

According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, its latest proposal represents an average increase of 6.2% over three years for the paid firefighter workforce.

The organisation said this compares with other public sector agreements.

Stiffler explained that the offer would raise average senior firefighter remuneration from a current range of $80,682.82 – $87,364.25 to $85,789.14 – $92,893.43 at the end of the three-year period.

She said the figures exclude overtime and allowances, which Fire and Emergency New Zealand reported currently add an average of $38,823 to annual remuneration.

Stiffler said: “This proposal would have taken the average senior firefighter remuneration from a range of $80,682.82 – $87,364.25 to $85,789.14 – $92,893.43 at the end of the period, excluding overtime and allowances which currently adds an average of $38,823 to annual remuneration.

“We believe this represents a fair and sustainable increase for our people.”

Stiffler continued: “The NZPFU’s settlement proposal is three times more than our offer, which was fair, reasonable and in line with other settlements across the public service.

“It would represent a significant proportion of our current operational budget and is prohibitively uneconomic.”

She added: “We value our people, which is why over the past decade average senior firefighter pay has cumulatively increased by 37 percent, which is more than 10 percent above the average increase for all workers.”

Funding model and organisational restructure context

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it is seeking to balance remuneration changes with the need to maintain an affordable service for the public.

The organisation reported that approximately 95% of its operations are funded by a levy on building, contents and vehicle insurance paid by New Zealanders.

It stated that rising insurance costs require careful consideration of wider cost-of-living pressures when making pay decisions.

Stiffler said: “We want a fair outcome that recognises the incredible dedication and service of our people and delivers a modern and sustainable fire service.

“At the same time, approximately 95 percent of Fire and Emergency’s operations are funded by a levy on New Zealanders’ building, contents and vehicle insurance.

“With increasing insurance costs, we have to be mindful of cost-of-living pressures.”

Fire and Emergency New Zealand also confirmed that it is consulting on a restructure of the organisation.

The organisation said the aim of the restructure is to build a more effective and sustainable emergency service that can meet future requirements.

Stiffler explained: “We’re working to deliver a modern and efficient service, which is why we’re also consulting on a restructure for the organisation to become a more effective and sustainable emergency service that can meet future requirements.”

She noted that the current proposals do not affect operational roles.

Stiffler added: “And while the proposed restructure doesn’t impact frontline fire fighters or communication centre employees, it is part of the balanced approach we’re taking to delivering sustainability and efficiency, fairness in remuneration and conditions, and affordability for the general public.”

Next steps in the dispute and impact on communities

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said facilitation by the Employment Relations Authority is the next step it sees as available within the bargaining process.

The organisation linked the request directly to the duration of negotiations and to repeated strike action by members of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.

It stated that resolving the dispute is important for maintaining public safety and service continuity.

Stiffler continued: “We hope the Employment Relations Authority accepts the referral to facilitation and the NZPFU withdraws its scheduled strikes.

“There is little to be gained by continuing to strike and putting the community at risk while this process plays out.”

Industrial bargaining outcomes for New Zealand emergency services

Fire and rescue chiefs and senior officers may use the Fire and Emergency New Zealand figures to benchmark how one national service positions pay growth for firefighters over a three-year period.

Emergency and disaster response managers can review the stated link between prolonged strike action, resourcing pressures and Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s decision to seek independent facilitation.

Government departments responsible for funding or overseeing emergency services can examine the description of a levy-based funding model where approximately 95% of operations are paid for through insurance charges.

Risk assessors and planners in public authorities may consider how industrial disputes can interact with service resilience when strikes affect availability of firefighters.

Training officers and instructors within Fire and Emergency New Zealand and similar organisations can factor in the potential impact of restructuring on workforce planning, even where proposals do not directly affect frontline firefighters or communication centre roles.

New Zealand firefighters’ union talks continue as FENZ seeks stable agreement

by Breaking NewsSafety

What the New Zealand union row signals for future emergency response planning

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it will return to collective bargaining with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union next week following the union’s withdrawal of a planned one hour strike on Friday 14 November.

Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler said the withdrawal avoided further disruption before bargaining sessions on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November.

Stiffler said: “Every time the NZPFU strikes, they compromise public safety.

“We are very pleased communities will not be disrupted again today, and we urge the NZPFU to withdraw its strike notices for Friday 21 and Friday 28 November.

“We had applied for facilitation under urgency with the Employment Relations Authority because of the protracted nature of bargaining and the impact on the public from strike action but today the authority adjourned the hearing until 25 November.

“Fire and Emergency’s goal is, and has always been, to reach a fair, sustainable, and reasonable settlement with the NZPFU. We are doing everything we can to achieve an agreement without disrupting the services communities rely on.

“The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union made a counter proposal which was well outside Fire and Emergency’s bargaining parameters.

“Following a robust and useful discussion, and further testing of possible components of a settlement, the NZPFU tabled a new pay proposal.

“While Fire and Emergency shared with the Union the concern that the proposal was highly likely to be outside of Fire and Emergency’s bargaining parameters, this represents a step forward in negotiations.

“Fire and Emergency is meeting with the NZPFU to continue bargaining on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November 2025.

“Any settlement must be sustainable; balance cost of living pressures being faced by individuals alongside fiscal pressures faced by Fire and Emergency and be consistent with the Government Workforce Policy Statement.”

Key elements of the dispute

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said negotiations have been ongoing since July 2024 for career firefighters.

The organisation said it has improved its original pay offer of 5.1% over three years, alongside changes to allowances.

It said this offer aligns with its financial constraints and the Government Workforce Policy Statement.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the last agreement in 2022 delivered a cumulative wage increase of up to 24% over three years.

The organisation also noted ongoing investment in fleet replacement, stating that 317 trucks have been replaced since 2017 with a further 78 on order.

Wider organisational restructure underway

Separate reporting from RNZ said Fire and Emergency New Zealand is progressing the largest restructure in its eight-year history.

RNZ said a 266-page change proposal outlines plans affecting about 140 roles, with unions warning that loss of support roles could affect emergency response.

RNZ reported that the proposal would remove the five-region structure and reorganise existing districts under new reporting lines.

According to RNZ, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the restructure is driven by volatile revenue and increasing operational demand linked to climate impacts.

RNZ said firefighters and union representatives raised concerns about reduced support for risk reduction work and pressure on district workloads.

RNZ reported that frontline firefighter roles and 111-call handlers would not be cut.

Reactions from union and sector representatives

RNZ said the Public Service Association estimated the restructure would remove more than 13% of non-firefighter roles.

According to RNZ, the Fire Emergency Commanders Association questioned how regional functions would be absorbed under the new model.

RNZ reported that risk reduction staff, who carry out building checks and oversee evacuation scheme maintenance, expressed concern about diminished preventative capacity.

Next steps in negotiations

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said bargaining will continue on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November.

The Employment Relations Authority hearing on facilitation is scheduled to resume on 25 November.

Implications for emergency response planning in New Zealand

The continuation of bargaining between Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union has implications for senior fire officers and emergency managers who rely on stable workforce arrangements.

Pay and conditions for career firefighters affect staffing availability, deployment planning and long-term retention.

These factors can influence how incident commanders allocate resources during emergency events.

The restructure described by RNZ involves changes to district structures and support roles.

These changes could alter how operational leaders receive administrative, training and risk reduction support.

The proposed separation of volunteer and paid firefighter training functions may require adjustments to training delivery models.

Facility managers and building safety professionals may take interest in the future capacity of risk reduction teams.

These teams conduct checks on evacuation schemes and oversee compliance work.

These developments could shape planning assumptions for organisations that coordinate with Fire and Emergency New Zealand during joint response operations.

How New Zealand became NFPA’s newest hub for fire safety innovation

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsSafety

NFPA and FPANZ sign MoU to strengthen fire safety collaboration

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Fire Protection Association New Zealand (FPANZ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance fire and life safety across New Zealand.

According to the organisations, the agreement focuses on knowledge sharing, training and the exchange of resources between the two associations.

The MoU was signed during the FireNZ 2025 Conference in Auckland, which also marked FPANZ’s 50th anniversary.

Mike Brunzell, Vice President of Global Business Development at NFPA, attended as a keynote speaker and panelist.

This marks the first formal NFPA participation in the annual FireNZ conference.

Strengthening a growing partnership

Scott Lawson, Chief Executive Officer at FPANZ, said: “This agreement reflects a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration that has grown between our organisations in recent years.

“It formalises our ability to work more closely together to the benefit of our members and the communities they serve.

“We are deeply appreciative of NFPA’s support and look forward to a future of shared progress.”

The NFPA said the agreement continues its efforts to expand its global reach and strengthen fire safety initiatives throughout the Oceania region.

Regional engagement and future initiatives

Brunzell said: “In addition to this agreement with the Fire Protection Association of New Zealand, during our trip NFPA was pleased to foster our connections with colleagues from Fire Protection Association Australia, and the National Fire Authority of Fiji.

“These collaborations strengthen knowledge exchanges and reflect our commitment to working alongside national associations and the leaders they represent to build safer, more resilient communities.”

The organisations noted that the MoU builds on several years of cooperation between NFPA and FPANZ.

It also opens the door to new initiatives in training, research and advocacy aligned with the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem, a framework that supports community safety through shared responsibility and clear standards.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The agreement between NFPA and FPANZ provides a new framework for collaboration that could influence standards development, professional training and fire-safety knowledge transfer within New Zealand.

For building safety professionals, fire engineers and training providers, the partnership creates potential access to NFPA technical resources and guidance, supporting local adaptation of international best practices.

For emergency services leaders and policy bodies, it offers a coordinated platform for sharing lessons learned and developing unified approaches to fire prevention, response and risk reduction across the wider Oceania region

Fire and Emergency New Zealand celebrates 30 years of USAR capability

by Featured NewsSearch and Rescue

National events mark three decades of USAR

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has marked 30 years since the creation of its Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) capability.

Celebrations took place this week across the organisation’s Northern, Central and Southern USAR bases.

The milestone brought together current and former personnel who have contributed to the development of the programme since its inception in 1995.

The first USAR course in New Zealand was held that year at Linton Army Camp with instruction from a team of trainers from the United States.

Some of the original trainees and instructors attended the anniversary event in Palmerston North.

Programme origins and international partnerships

According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the event recognised the contributions of the original programme architect, United States instructors and the New Zealand personnel who completed the first USAR training course.

The collaboration between New Zealand and the United States in 1995 laid the foundation for a specialised national search and rescue capability that has since developed into a key component of Fire and Emergency’s disaster response operations.

The anniversary events were held to acknowledge both the early foundations and the continuing service of the teams that operate across the country.

Expanding role in national and international emergencies

Fire and Emergency National Manager Response Capability Ken Cooper said the USAR teams have been deployed to major domestic and international disasters.

Ken Cooper said: “Our USAR team has been deployed to disasters such as the Christchurch earthquake, the Kaikoura earthquake, Cyclone Gabrielle, and overseas assisting at tropical cyclones in Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu, floods in the Solomon Islands, and to Papua New Guinea to help with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Both locally and globally we are seeing an increase in both the frequency and severity of the effects of natural hazards.

“All of these phenomena will see an increasing need for the skills and expertise of our USAR teams.”

The anniversary week also served as an opportunity for the service to reaffirm its role in national emergency preparedness and regional humanitarian support.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The 30th anniversary of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) in New Zealand highlights how structured training and international collaboration have strengthened response capabilities across multiple hazards.

For emergency response managers and training officers, the event demonstrates the long-term impact of sustained investment in technical rescue skills.

For fire and rescue chiefs, it underscores the operational value of maintaining multi-agency partnerships and specialised deployment readiness.

USAR’s history of responding to earthquakes, cyclones and floods also illustrates how integrated response frameworks can adapt to increasing natural hazard risks.

This article was informed by information from the following source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand completes national rollout of Local Advisory Committees

by Featured NewsPeople

New Zealand completes full rollout of Local Advisory Committees

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has finalised the creation of Local Advisory Committees across all regions, including new appointments in Canterbury and Wellington, according to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

The Local Advisory Committees (LACs) have been formed to advise the Fire and Emergency Board on community expectations, risks and local priorities.

This month’s announcements include the appointment of eight members to the Canterbury LAC and seven members to the Wellington LAC.

Fire and Emergency also confirmed three new members for the Chatham Islands committee.

The full network now includes 16 LACs representing every area of New Zealand.

Canterbury committee members appointed to support regional advice

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has confirmed eight inaugural members of the Canterbury Local Advisory Committee.

The appointment was announced on 17 July 2025.

The committee will cover both Canterbury and Mid-South Canterbury.

Members were selected by the Fire and Emergency Board to advise on issues specific to their local areas.

Te Ihu Region Manager Brad Mosby said: “Our Canterbury LAC members are well connected and respected within their communities, and we look forward to working with them.

“They’ll engage with community groups about local needs and support our local teams in building a shared understanding with communities about the service we deliver.”

The appointed members of the Canterbury LAC are Darin Cusack (Chair), Wendy Smith (Deputy Chair), Ross Paniora, Mark Adams, Brett King, Cherie Leckner, Andrew Cocking and Habib Marwat.

Wellington LAC to represent local community needs

The Wellington Local Advisory Committee was also confirmed on 17 July 2025.

The committee will serve the areas of Wellington, Porirua, Kapiti Coast, Hutt City and Wairarapa.

Seven members have been selected to serve on the committee.

They will advise on risks and values in their communities, working with Fire and Emergency to support informed decision making.

Te Ūpoko Region Manager Bruce Stubbs said: “Members represent a diverse range of interests, offer strong local knowledge and will bring real value to the table. We look forward to working with them.”

Stubbs added: “The committee’s first task will be to plan how to best engage and seek feedback about local needs from people in their communities, and to build a shared understanding with them about the service Fire and Emergency delivers.”

The Wellington LAC members are Adrienne Staples (Chair), Shamia Love Shariff (Deputy Chair), Maleeha Ahmad, Asher Wilson Goldman, Sara Williams, Andrew Brown and Maria Mitimeti.

Chatham Islands committee membership expands

Three new members have joined the Chatham Islands Local Advisory Committee.

This brings additional representation to one of New Zealand’s most remote regions.

According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, these appointments form part of the same nationwide expansion as the new Canterbury and Wellington committees.

All members are selected by the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board.

The Chatham Islands are one of 16 areas now covered by a fully formed Local Advisory Committee.

Local Advisory Committees now cover all 16 regions

With the confirmation of Canterbury and Wellington LACs, Fire and Emergency New Zealand has concluded its national rollout.

LACs are now established in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Whanganui-Manawatū, Nelson-Tasman, Marlborough, West Coast, Otago, Southland, Canterbury, Wellington and the Chatham Islands.

Each committee is tasked with engaging residents and identifying local fire-related concerns.

LACs are designed to support alignment between national emergency services and regional needs.

Committees meet regularly to provide independent advice to the Fire and Emergency Board.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand completes national rollout of Local Advisory Committees: Summary

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has confirmed the appointment of members to the Canterbury and Wellington Local Advisory Committees.

Eight members were appointed to the Canterbury LAC on 17 July 2025.

Seven members were appointed to the Wellington LAC on the same date.

The Chatham Islands LAC received three new members during the same period.

There are now 16 Local Advisory Committees operating across New Zealand.

Each LAC advises the Fire and Emergency Board on community risks and needs.

Members were appointed by the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board.

The announcement was made by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Volunteer firefighters celebrated during National Volunteer Week in New Zealand

by Featured NewsPeople

New Zealand’s volunteer firefighters publicly thanked

National Volunteer Week in New Zealand has been used to highlight the work of the country’s volunteer firefighters.

According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, volunteers make up around 80 percent of the organisation’s personnel.

The agency reported that over 11,800 volunteers provide frontline and support roles in nearly 600 brigades nationwide, mostly outside of major cities.

National Commander Kerry Gregory said the week provided an opportunity to publicly recognise this contribution.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand added that volunteers respond to emergencies, support prevention efforts, and contribute to the resilience of their communities.

Role of volunteer firefighters in emergency response

Fire and Emergency New Zealand stated that volunteer firefighters deliver critical support, particularly in rural and regional areas.

It said their roles range from firefighting to operational support and medical first response.

The organisation explained that volunteers also carry out education and community engagement to reduce harm and risk.

Gregory said: “They generously give their time to volunteer as firefighters, operational support, medical first responders, and brigade support.”

Gregory added: “They provide a service to their communities on often their darkest day.

“They also spend time educating and reducing the risk of harm to communities and provide reassurance through their commitment, visibility, and training.

“They are critical to community resilience and to our organisation.”

Public awareness and engagement encouraged

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it wanted to raise awareness of the contribution of its volunteers.

It invited members of the public to leave a message of support on social media.

Gregory said: “We want to raise awareness of the incredible work our volunteers do and give the public an opportunity to thank them too.”

Gregory added: “We’re inviting people to go to our Facebook or Instagram pages and leave a message of thanks or support.”

He said the organisation was also acknowledging the families and employers of volunteers for their role in enabling participation.

Volunteers as part of community fabric

This year’s National Volunteer Week is being held under the theme “Whiria te tangata”, which Fire and Emergency New Zealand translated as “weaving the people together”.

The organisation said the theme reflects the role of volunteers in strengthening the fabric of society.

It described its volunteers as a key link in its partnership with communities.

Gregory said: “Our volunteers bring far more than their skills and numbers.

“They are one of our key links in our partnership with Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Leadership reflects on role of volunteers

Gregory stated that it was an honour to lead a service supported by so many people willing to give their time to others.

He said that National Volunteer Week is a reminder for the public to acknowledge this contribution.

Gregory said: “It is an opportunity for the rest of us to take a moment and reflect on the valuable role our volunteers play in their communities and their selfless dedication and commitment.”

Gregory added: “It is an honour and privilege to lead an organisation full of passionate people who are driven to serve others.

“Reach out and say thank you – it’s so simple, but it means a lot.”

Volunteer firefighters celebrated during National Volunteer Week in New Zealand: Summary

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has thanked its 11,800 volunteers for their work.

Volunteers make up 80 percent of the service’s total personnel.

The agency said its volunteers support nearly 600 brigades.

Most volunteer brigades are located outside New Zealand’s major cities.

Volunteers are involved in firefighting, medical response, and community education.

National Volunteer Week is marked under the theme “Whiria te tangata”.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said this reflects the link between volunteers and communities.

National Commander Kerry Gregory said the week is a time to recognise their service.

The public has been asked to leave messages of support online.

Gregory also thanked families, friends, and employers who support volunteers.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said volunteers support emergency response and prevention.

Gregory described the organisation as being strengthened by volunteer commitment.

He said the service would not function without their support.

The campaign includes calls for public appreciation through social media.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it values volunteer involvement throughout the year.