13061 (2026). Mike Davidson to the Minister of Internal Affairs

Written Question

Published date: 21 Apr 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	13061 (2026)
Question asked:	07 Apr 2026
Member asking:	Mike Davidson
Portfolio:	Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister replying:	Hon Brooke van Velden
Answer received:	15 Apr 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_13061_2026
Document guid:	ea8cfa2f-e06d-483d-8001-b85d82c579d9

13061 (2026). Mike Davidson to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Who is responsible for approving the deployment of swift water specialist teams at Fire and Emergency New Zealand and what process, if any, do they take prior to approving deployment?

Hon Brooke van Velden: I am advised that Fire and Emergency’s National Commanders Group is responsible for approving deployment of Specialist Water Rescue Teams. Specialist Water Rescue Teams are a national resource and national resources are approved with national oversight. This ensures that specialist resources are deployed to areas of greatest need. Fire and Emergency’s communications centres, upon receiving a call from Police or via 111, will notify the on-call District Commander to assess the capability request, while seeking final approval by the National Commanders Group.