Plan to fix Fire and Emergency New Zealand

By ensuring firefighters have reliable trucks, proper training, practical support, and an organisation accountable for delivering the tools they need to do their job.

More than 14,000 firefighters, including volunteers, paid staff, and frontline enablers, work hard every day to keep our communities safe. They deserve more than our thanks; they deserve an organisation that is as reliable and prepared as they are.

Nine years after Fire and Emergency New Zealand was created, frontline firefighters still face equipment and training shortages. National backs our firefighters and knows things can be much better. National will reset Fire and Emergency New Zealand by backing firefighters and restoring accountability.

What we'll do

Restore accountability and reset Fire and Emergency New Zealand

By making Fire and Emergency New Zealand directly accountable to the Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, removing unnecessary bureaucracy and keeping operational decisions with fire and emergency professionals. A turnaround plan will also be developed and implemented, with all reforms funded within existing baselines.

Support volunteer firefighters

by requiring Fire and Emergency New Zealand to provide private insurance covering event based mental injury and gradual process injuries for operational volunteers, giving volunteers and their families greater support and financial security.

Back the frontline with the tools they need to do their job

By delivering the fire appliances firefighters need, establishing a long-term fleet replacement programme, restoring live fire training, reducing unnecessary red tape, and ensuring frontline operational capability comes first.