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.
The 2025 PCA payment will be paid on the 25th June 2025 pay day.
Members are reminded that completed nomination forms for Local Secretary, President, Vice President and Committee members must be received by the relevant Returning Officer no later than 5pm on the 29th May 2025.
Members are reminded that FENZ’s Performance and development process policy expressly excludes NZPFU members.
Despite FENZ’s own policy clearly stating that exemption there are Managers trying to force the process on some of our members.
Please note this notice is only for the NZPFU AIA Compensation Insurance and does not apply to the NZPFU Protect Income Protection Insurance.
In accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters’ Union, nominations are called for the positions of:
Local Secretary
Local President
Local Vice-President
Local Committee members (up to 15 Committee member positions)
We’re again in a position where we have to navigate a challenging and extended period of collective bargaining with Fire and Emergency. In times like these, our unity and collective strength as union members is critical. It’s a good moment to reflect, and reinforce why solidarity matters, and why it’s so essential we stick together.
Members will no doubt be aware of the major 5th Alarm fire that broke out last night on the North Shore. This fire had widespread impacts to people across Tamaki Makaurau with several Emergency Alerts having to be made. Additionally, our thoughts go out the local community, including the owner, tenants, and staff of the businesses impacted.
Please see below for events for Workers’ Memorial Day 28 April 2025.
Occupational disease is the primary killer of firefighters globally and self-harm resulting from mental health issues directly attributed to
the workplace is sadly prevalent.
Off-duty or on-break NZPFU members are encouraged to attend these events as we continue the decades long battle to have firefighters
occupational disease recognised so that firefighters and their families are supported in their greatest time of need.
The NZPFU will be sending out invites to Locals for a Zoom meeting next week to provide an update on bargaining.
There have been eight bargaining sessions with the next session to be held in Christchurch this week. We have one more agreed session
for the 8th and 9th April.
It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Senior Firefighter Carl Whiten, who has left us after a courageous battle with cancer. Carl was a dedicated firefighter of the Christchurch Brigade, whose unwavering commitment and service profoundly impacted the lives of countless people across Ōtautahi and beyond.
The NZPFU has been notified of recent “urgent” requests for participation in surveys by FENZ.
The NZPFU notifies members that it is not in their interests to participate in any survey where the NZPFU has not had the necessary
information or involvement to clarify the purpose and scope of the survey, veracity of the methodology including selection of participants
and how data will be analysed, or protections of confidential information/anonymity including who has access to the data/information and how
it will be stored and used.
Members will no doubt be aware of Wednesday's major fire in a scrapyard in Papakura. Whilst the cause of this fire is still under investigation what is known is that the impacts of it were widespread right across Auckland.
We have been told that staff wanting to do Return to Work Duties will have to do them at District HQ and they do not intend to reimburse your travel costs, “you are getting an enhanced pay and you can fund your own travel”. We have since got an agreement that the travel distance reimbursement will be paid for travel to District HQ.
Following a devastating house fire in Milldale north of Auckland yesterday the Local has written to the Acting National Commander formally asking for Fire and Emergency to undertake an operational review.
The NZPFU has been notified that Stations and Districts are being asked to provide information on the numbers of those that use the gyms, safety standards and rating on equipment on gear not supplied by FENZ and any concerns or observations.
You need to know that FENZ is refusing to reimburse travel time, to the Auckland Region Training Centre, at the increased rate all other travel has been paid since March 2021.
The Auckland Local has serious concerns about the current and ongoing state of the frontline fleet of fire trucks, rescue tenders, aerial ladder trucks and support vehicles throughout Auckland.
As 2024 draws to a close and the festive season ramps up, we wish you all a safe and happy festive season.
This is a great time to thank all those that work hard for the interests of our members.
The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) are aware that some members are being contacted by Fair Way or a law firm to participate in interviews or provide information. We want to remind you that you cannot be compelled to participate in any interview or process.
I apologise that my first notice as the National President of the NZPFU has taken so long to come out. Since taking on our new roles as the President and Vice President, Marty and I have had to 'hit the ground running'.
Please read to the end.
It was an honour to attend and listen to the yarns and accolades for Paul Shepherd at his retirement function at NTC today.
Retired Dunedin firefighter Kevin Reid died late last week.
The Timaru Local were fantastic hosts for the NZPFU Annual conference held this week. Not only did they put on great weather but didn’t miss a beat with the welcome packs, venue, catering, events and organised events including the mystery day trip for the delegate’s partners.
Congratulations to David Phillips who has been elected the Northern Branch Secretary.
NZPFU members have been invited to a free webinar organised by Fitness Passport.
Today MBIE has released a shameful discussion document proposing only to add firefighting in relation to bladder cancer and mesothelioma into the Schedule 2 Occupational Diseases of the Accident Compensation Act 2001. Mesothelioma and bladder cancer are already listed in the schedule.
The NZPFU National Committee has been seeking guarantees from FENZ that it does not have any intention to reduce the scope or change the method of emergency responses currently undertaken, and is not attempting to change the structure in which firefighters are recruited and deployed.
Off-duty NZPFU members, or those that use their designated breaks, are encouraged to join the action being held in 12 centres. Please wear NZPFU t-shirts or merchandise (not FENZ uniform) and proudly fly the NZPFU flags.
Members should be aware that District Manager Mackereth has unilaterally made the decision to remove the Hazmat Command Appliance from immediate response to confirmed structure fire incidents for incidents in Auckland City Central Fire District.
First Union Ambulance Officer members are seeking your support for their campaign for the Government to fully fund ambulance services.
In accordance with the NZPFU Rules Northern Branch members are informed that an election for the Northern Branch Secretary will be held electronically.
Following the close of nominations for the election of the Northern Branch position of Branch Secretary, I had received three nominations.
The Northern Drivers’ Charitable Trust is offering a scholarships to assist union members or their families to assist with training or re-training in any trade, skill or tertiary study.
Recently, Fire and Emergency New Zealand has asked some NZPFU members to engage in a survey on a potential redevelopment of the Uniform
Matrix.
This has been done without any consultation with the NZPFU, and I have responded by lodging a dispute under the CEA.
The NZPFU has filed an application in the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) challenging FENZ’s right to impose the Code of Conduct on NZPFU members and challenging the content of that Code.
As the National Council members toured the AGMs over the past few weeks the issue of the calculation of the kiwisaver deductions and relevant taxes was raised by those who have been contribution to a complying Kiwisaver scheme as well as a non-compliant Superannuation Scheme such as FireSuper.
FENZ is consistently refusing to consult the NZPFU in accordance with the NZPFU collective employment agreement. The NZPFU collective agreement requires FENZ to consult on whether change should occur, not just the content of the proposed change and they must provide the reasoning behind the change and be motivated by a desire to reach consensus.
Members may be aware that the Local has raised a dispute around the way FENZ’s wants to transition Papakura Station to a Senior Station Officer Station. This proposal would directly impact 10 personnel and indirectly impact over 120.
All off-duty NZPFU members are urged to support striking Ambulance Officers tomorrow at actions planned in the main centres.
Due to the Northern Branch Secretary position becoming vacant as Martin Campbell has now been elected as National Vice President, nominations are hereby called for this position in accordance with the Rules of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.
We refer members to the Notice to Members published on 28 January 2024 regarding Blood Screening Programme for NZPFU Members - Firefighters, Trainers and Fire Investigators.
It has been a long time coming but the NZPFU can finally announce a scholarship for research or a project that is relevant to the progression of women firefighters within the profession.
Last week the NZPFU provided the advice received from our lawyer regarding the options FENZ has put to 592 members who have been contributing to complying Kiwisaver schemes as well as other non-complying compulsory schemes such as Fire Super.
The Bargaining Process Agreement (BPA) is supposed to set out agreements on how the parties will conduct the bargaining but FENZ refused to agree to include a clause that would prevent the harm FENZ caused in the last round through their anti-NZPFU membership tactics of sending offers, their analysis of NZPFU claims and false information to all and sundry.
Hato Hone St John Ambulance Officers who are members of First Union and the Ambulance Association (NZAA) have given notice of an intention to withdraw their labour on the 20th and 24th August. The notice is for a four-hour strike from the 4am start of shift on the 20th August to be repeated on the 24th August.
FENZ acted swiftly upon the NZPFU notification yesterday that microphones had been enabled on the mobility tablets causing serious concern of possible unlawful surveillance and breaches of privacy.
The NZPFU has been informed by members that the microphones on mobility tablets have been activated. The NZPFU has not been provided with any prior warning of the activation of this function or any lawful purpose for doing so.
Members were notified on the 28th June that FENZ had self-reported to IRD its failure to pay the 3% compulsory contribution to employees who have complying Kiwisaver and other non-complying superannuation schemes such as FireSuper. The NZPFU were informed that 592 members were affected.