Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has proposed a workforce reorganisation that would affect how the agency delivers emergency response services. The proposal, which is currently in the consultation stage, could affect about 700 roles and is expected to result in a net reduction of approximately 140 positions. FENZ has confirmed that operational firefighter roles will remain intact, although changes to some support functions are anticipated.
Chief executive Kerry Gregory commented: “This proposal is about ensuring we are best positioned to deliver a modern and responsive emergency service. The primary focus is to provide a trusted service that keeps New Zealanders safe.” He also acknowledged the impact on staff: “We are committed to constructively working through their feedback to ensure we get the best outcome.”
FENZ plans to communicate the results of the consultation before the end of the year, with any organisational changes likely to be implemented in March or April of the following year. This schedule is intended to provide staff and teams with time to prepare for the transition.
The proposed changes are the latest in a series of developments since the 2017 amalgamation of roughly 40 separate fire and emergency organisations into a single national entity. FENZ’s review is focused on reducing internal divisions, improving collaboration, clarifying responsibilities, and empowering leadership. The plan also includes the creation of “Centres of Expertise” to enhance information sharing and decision-making.
Gregory said that shifts in workload and rising expectations for staff, combined with the necessity to address future challenges and limited resources, have underscored the importance of organisational change to ensure FENZ remains effective and sustainable. He added: “Our operating environment is evolving rapidly. Communities’ needs are changing, and technology – both the tools we use and those that can create new risks – is advancing at pace. To meet these changes, we must adapt and become more adaptable.”
FENZ currently has a workforce of around 14,900, operates approximately 1,300 fire trucks, and manages over 600 stations. In the 2024/2025 financial year, the agency responded to nearly 89,000 incidents. Funding for FENZ comes largely from levies on insurance policies, with revenue for 2024/2025 reported at $796.7 million, supplemented by $41.3 million from other sources.
The government has set a limit on the FENZ levy increase, which is collected through insurance premiums on property, vehicles, and contents, capping it at 2.2% for July 2026. This is a reduction from the previously proposed 5.2%. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said the cap was intended to balance the agency’s funding needs with the goal of minimising additional financial pressure on residents. FENZ has also been tasked with identifying $60 million in savings over the next three years.
The insurance industry has generally welcomed the government’s decision. Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) chief executive Kris Faafoi said: “We know that New Zealanders are finding it tough dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, and we support the government’s move to ensure Kiwis don’t pay anything more than they have to.”
The Public Service Association (PSA) has called for government intervention in response to FENZ’s proposed cost reductions. PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said: “The government must step in and stop these short-sighted cuts – FENZ is telling its workers to do more with less, which will impact FENZ’s ability to deal with emergencies and prevent future emergencies.”
