13729 (2026). Mike Davidson to the Minister of Internal Affairs

13729 (2026). Mike Davidson to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Have Fire and Emergency New Zealand discussed with any group, groups or individuals about lifting minimum shift manning, and if so, what was the outcome of these discussions?

Hon Brooke van Velden: Yes. I am advised that Fire and Emergency New Zealand has discussed lifting minimum shift manning with relevant parties. • Between October 2023 and January 2025, a joint working group comprising Fire and Emergency and New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union representatives considered options to increase staffing ratios. • On 13 February 2023, a proposal to increase staffing in communication centres from 72 to 84 personnel was presented. This had been consulted on with Fire and Emergency unions and associations. The increase was approved in April 2023 and is being progressively implemented to reach 84. • During 2023, unions and associations were consulted on increasing career staffing at Gisborne station. A business case was approved by the Executive Leadership Team in March 2024, and endorsed by the Board in November 2024 with implementation on track for completion by June 2026. • During the same period, Fire and Emergency also considered increasing career firefighter staffing at Hamilton station. This has not been prioritised at this time.