ABOUT

The NZPFU is a key partner with Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Through reducing the likelihood of unwanted fires, reducing consequences from emergencies and helping build resilient communities we contribute to a safer environment for New Zealanders.

Our members serve their communities to protect and preserve life, property and the environment. NZPFU representatives are based on all career fire stations. There are also 19 Union Locals in the major metropolitan and principal centres where career firefighters are employed.

The NZPFU plays a crucial role in the lives of Fire and Emergency New Zealand employees and makes a significant contribution to the culture of the organisation. Join online and become a member of the NZPFU by completing our online membership application.

We're embracing the nation’s recognition of te reo Māori starting with the translation of our name. Te Kāhui Kaipatuahi o Aotearoa is a translation of NZ Firefighters’ Union.

  • Union translates as Kāhui, meaning, gathering, herd or company of. It is also a constellation of stars and comes from the word hui 'to meet, gather, assemble'
  • There are three elements to Kaipatuahi - kai is a prefix to denote a worker, patu is to hit/fight and ahi is fire

We greatly appreciate the assistance of Auckland Station Officer Barry Thomas who, with the guidance of his te reo Māori expert, provided the translation and a recording to assist with pronunciation:

Our Affiliations


 

Our Supporters

Keeping you better informed

We have implemented innovative ways to keep both our supporters and members better informed. Members and supporters are invited to keep in the loop with the latest developments by subscribing to our eNewsletter service as well as following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. We also operate a discreet SMS service which allows us to send notifications to NZPFU members. News alerts are sent at both a national and local scale providing us with an efficient and secure way to get urgent messages to members.

How the NZPFU can benefit you

  • Coverage by the Collective Agreement
  • Representation and advocacy in all matters relating to and arising out of employment
  • Representation and advocacy on behalf of career firefighters with central Government and agencies, the NZ Council of Trade Unions and the wider trade union movement including international forums
  • NZPFU Protect - Injury and illness insurance designed for members, and Compensation Insurance scheme
  • Nominations of members' representatives as trustees onto the Firesuper Scheme

Organisational Chart

Download our NZPFU organisational chart to learn how our Locals, Branches and National Committee are structured. Identify positions represented by conference delegates.

DOWNLOAD PDF DOWNLOAD PDF

The 1990s Firefighters Dispute: The Historic Battle of the NZPFU vs NZFS

A definitive 90-minute historical broadcast archive documenting the largest, most significant industrial and safety struggle in the history of firefighting in New Zealand.

Throughout the 1990s, New Zealand's professional firefighters were forced into an unprecedented campaign to protect their profession, their frontline safety, and the communities they served. Facing aggressive corporate restructuring, severe understaffing, cost-cutting management, and prolonged contract stagnation, union members stood in absolute solidarity against immense political and executive pressure.

This permanent archive preserves the original national news coverage, frontline interviews, and pivotal moments of a historic dispute that defined the enduring strength of collectivism.