FENZ UNLAWFULLY REFUSING TO PAY PARENTAL LEAVE PAYMENTS
FENZ has responded to NZPFU members’ claims for the outstanding parental leave payments on the basis they will appeal the ERA decision.
FENZ has responded to NZPFU members’ claims for the outstanding parental leave payments on the basis they will appeal the ERA decision.
Nominations are hereby called from Union Members for Local Committee positions as below.
In 2007 the NZPFU and NZFS signed the attached Tauranga Kawerau Amalgamation document grandparenting conditions for those employed in the
district and setting out transfers and travel terms and conditions.
In recent years the Tauranga and Kawerau Locals have been meeting with FENZ management to resolve matters affected by the 2007 agreement
and the attached 2025 document has been drafted as a result.
At the close of the notified nominations period one nomination for the position of Timaru Local Secretary has been received.
I therefore declare Jeremy Gaskin as Timaru Local Secretary.
As a result there is the Timaru Local President position is now vacant.
Nominations are now called for the position of Timaru Local President.
NZPFU members are encouraged to participate in events organised around the country on Saturday, 20 September to protest the gutting of the pay equity legislation that the National-lead Government has claimed saved $13 billion and therefore taken from the wages of women workers.
The NZ Firefighters Welfare Society is conducting a survey to understand the types of support firefighters and fire agency personnel need.
The Employment Relations Authority has agreed that the parental leave incentive payment for early return from parental leave is payable whether the NZPFU member sought 12 months leave or less.
Progress has been made in bargaining with FENZ now finding ways to agree to some NZPFU claims and undertaking to re-consider others. The NZPFU also moved on some matters.
Gisborne members are informed that Daniel Latu has been elected Gisborne Local Vice President.
Mike will be known by many of our members as a firefighter for many years, before transferring to Waitemata District as a Volunteer Support Officer.
FENZ has agreed to return to bargaining and the parties will meet this afternoon and tomorrow.
Today, Te Pati Maori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer sent the attached letter of support and copied in the Minister for Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden.
The NZPFU has made the practical preparations for bargaining to continue as planned on the 3rd and 4th September.
FENZ walked away from the bargaining during the August session unilaterally declaring that bargaining had ended. FENZ then sought
mediation. The NZPFU has refused mediation as it is our strong view that bargaining has not concluded. In fact, Workplace
Relations Manager Michael Stephenson admitted in recent correspondence that there had been some productive discussions during the last day
we met in bargaining.
Please post this notice on union notice boards and make all members are aware that nominations are called, and the elections are overseen by the Returning Officer as set out below.
Members are advised that pursuant to Union Rule B.15.11, notice is given for the Auckland Local Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday 4 September 2025.
The NZPFU Uniform and PPE group have been continuing their work to update the structural firefighting boots and helmets that are available for ordering by Career Firefighters.
An election for the Gisborne Local Vice President position shall be conducted by electronic voting commencing at 0900 (9am) Monday 25 August 2025 and closes 1700 (5pm) Friday 5 September 2025.
The Tauranga Local AGM will be held on Thursday 28th August @ 10:30am
In accordance with the NZPFU Rules, Gisborne members are informed that an election will be conducted electronically for the Gisborne Vice President election.
In accordance with the NZPFU Rules, Dunedin members are informed that Calvin Harradine has been elected unopposed to the position of Dunedin Vice President.
In accordance with the NZPFU Rules, Whangarei Local members are informed that Paul Ballentine has been elected Whangarei Local President unopposed.
In accordance with the NZPFU Rules, Whanganui Local members are informed that the following members have been elected unopposed.
FENZ Workplace Relations Manager Michael Stevenson who leads the FENZ bargaining team contacted the mediation services but did not have the courtesy to include the NZPFU in his request for mediation. Hardly the efforts of someone who wants to achieve a positive outcome. We believe he misled the mediation service by claiming both parties had agreed to mediation.
This instruction once again highlights the disarray and crisis that Fire and Emergencies fleet is in, with no relief heavy aerial (Turntable Ladder) available to replace the Auckland City Aerial truck.
The Auckland Local wishes to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Station Officer Matt Walker of the Auckland Operational Support who passed away after a short illness.
This week, FENZ abandoned the bargaining by unilaterally declaring that bargaining had run its course. Their behaviour has demonstrated that FENZ was just biding its time, only providing an offer in June which did not reflect their own claims. Why? So that they could claim they have made savings by refusing any form of backdating on any matters including wage increases.
Bargaining recommenced yesterday and today with four more bargaining days previously agreed in September and October.
But this afternoon FENZ collapsed the talks and walked away.
Please post this notice on union notice boards and make all members are aware that nominations are called, and the elections are overseen by the Returning Officer as set out below.
Please post this notice on union notice boards and make all members are aware that nominations are called, and the elections are overseen by the Returning Officer as set out below.
Please post this notice on union notice boards and make all members are aware that nominations are called, and the elections are overseen by the Returning Officer as set out below.
Please post this notice on union notice boards and make all members are aware that nominations are called, and the elections are overseen by the Returning Officer as set out below.
Please post this notice on union notice boards and make all members are aware that nominations are called, and the elections are overseen by the Returning Officer as set out below.
In accordance with the NZPFU Rules, Kawerau members are informed that Paul Newbold has been elected Local Vice President.
The NZPFU has today issued FENZ notices of strike action that will commence from 0001 hours on the 11 August 2025.
Members are advised not to take any action until 0001 hours on 11 August and then only to take the actions listed in the two strike
notices.
This information ONLY APPLIES to any NZPFU member who has income protection and/or life insurance other than the NZPFU Protect policy, or is a member that is paying their own NZPFU Protect Income Protection Insurance premiums because their role is not covered by the 2021-2024 NZPFU collective employment agreement.
NZPFU members have sent a strong message to FENZ that they will not be accepting the disgraceful offer and have overwhelmingly empowered the Union to bring on industrial action including strikes.
The NZPFU Conference in 2022 agreed to a Rule change that provided that the Auckland Local could have a committee of 20 including the three Offices of Local President, Secretary and Vice President. The recent elections of the Auckland Local President and Vice President impacted on the number of nominees for the Auckland Local Committee resulting in the Local Committee now being declared.
In accordance with the NZPFU Rules, Kawerau members are informed that Carl Moon has been elected Kawerau Local President.
In accordance with the Rules, Auckland Local members are advised that Jeffrey Shrimpton has been elected Local Vice President.
In accordance with the NZPFU Rules, Wellington members are informed that Clark Townsley has been elected Wellington Local President.
![NZPFU MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS SCHEDULE [UPDATED]](/media/website_posts/5486/membership-schedule.jpg)
The NZPFU will be holding membership meetings in July to update on bargaining and conduct any ballots the National Committee thinks
necessary.
The NZPFU and FENZ are currently discussing proposals in bargaining. We meet again for bargaining on the 3rd and 4th
July where we expect to continue those discussions. By the conclusion of those two days there may be an offer to discuss at the membership
meetings. We will also conduct any ballots at membership meetings that the National Committee thinks necessary.
After 47 years of dedicated service, Senior Station Officer Sulu Devoe has made the decision to retire. Sulu has been a strong advocate for NZPFU members’ rights and terms and conditions of employment. He would always put firefighter safety and wellbeing front and centre, never failing to raise concerns with Fire and Emergency Management, sometimes ruffling feathers in the process.
An election for the Kawerau Local President position shall be conducted by electronic voting commencing at 0900 (9am) Monday 30 June 2025 and closes 1700 (5pm) Friday 11 July 2025.
An election for the Auckland Local Vice President position shall be conducted by electronic voting commencing at 0900 (9am) Monday 30 June 2025 and closes 1700 (5pm) Friday 11 July 2025.
In accordance with the NZPFU Rules, Kawerau members are informed that Chris McFadzean has been elected Kawerau Local Secretary.
In accordance with the NZPFU Rules, Auckland Local members are informed that Terry Bird has been elected Auckland Local President.
It is time to have a national round of membership meetings for bargaining purposes.
The NZPFU and FENZ are currently discussing proposals in bargaining. The parties meet again on the 4th and 5th July
2024 where we expect to continue those discussions and by conclusion of those two days there may be an offer to discuss with the membership.
Since the last NZPFU notice Auckland Local representatives have met with District Manager Vaughan Mackereth to discuss his direction not to
deploy the aerial appliance Parnell 255 unless confirmed fire.
Mr Mackereth refused to withdraw his instruction, threatened industrial action for those that did not comply with his instruction and
refused to other alternatives to address aspects of the health and safety implications of his instruction.
Today the NZPFU notified FENZ that Officers had the right on health and safety grounds to deploy the heavy aerial in accordance of their
training and experience, regardless of confirmed fire.
Members will be aware of District Manager Mackereth's instruction to all staff to restrict Parnell’s aerial appliance to respond to confirmed fires only, copied below.
This instruction was issued without genuine consultation with the Auckland Local and highlights the disarray and crisis that Fire and
Emergencies fleet is in. Despite the organisation saying that their fleet is well maintained and regularly serviced, once again reality
proves the complete opposite, with this decision impacting the safety and well-being of firefighters and the public.
Due to nominations being received for Kawerau Local Secretary, President and Vice President and common nominees for positions, a series of
elections will be conducted in accordance with the Rules.
The election for Local Secretary will be conducted first, then President and Vice President if still required. Separate notices will
be issued for each election.
Due to nominations being received for Auckland Local President, Vice President and Local Committee with common nominees for positions, a
series of elections will be conducted in accordance with the Rules.
The election for Auckland Local President will be conducted first, then Vice President and then Local Committee if still required.
Separate notices will be issued for each election.
Members are advised that Kurt Walsh has been elected Wellington Local Secretary unopposed due to the withdrawal of the
other nomination.
An election for the Wellington Local President position shall be conducted by electronic voting commencing at 0900
(9am) Monday 9 June 2025 and closing 1700 (5pm) Friday 4 July 2025.
The period for nominations of the NZPFU Local Triennial elections closed at 5pm yesterday (Thursday 29 May).
Please see the notices available for download below for every NZPFU Local detailing the nominations, those
elected unopposed and where elections will need to be conducted.
A new report was quietly added to the FENZ website today without the usual press releases and mass email notifications that previous reviews into complaint processes has enjoyed. It is a damning report of a Public Service Commission inquiry into the handling of complaints made by a volunteer firefighter against volunteer leaders and management.