An attempt by FENZ to try and drive a wedge between volunteers and the NZPFU career firefighters has backfired with a surge of support for career firefighters by volunteers.

Yesterday FENZ publicly announced it had filed an urgent application against the Union and a Union Official claiming concerns for the safety of volunteers during strike action.

The New Zealand public are urged to consider the consequences of FENZ trying to create a perception of a division between career and volunteer firefighters and what that would mean for emergency response.

The NZPFU members have seen it is for what it is – a tactic to divert attention from the real issue of FENZ failing every New Zealander with a fleet, staffing and resources in dire straits.

Frustrated with the support of volunteers and the public for the NZPFU members and campaign, we see this as FENZ launching an attack on lawful industrial action. We say it is FENZ that is trying to intimidate volunteers from their support of career firefighters and the resourced well-managed fire service we are fighting for.

Volunteer firefighters were quick to voice their support for career firefighters in particular in calls, emails and social media posts. Volunteers have said they do not want to be pawns in the FENZ game and will not be intimidated by FENZ to cease their support for career firefighters or the NZPFU. Many have confirmed the strong relationship with career firefighters and other NZPFU members at incident and on station. We have even had whole brigades voice their support for the action being taken in the interests of safe system of work.

Volunteers are also affected by the decisions that have led to an unreliable fleet, insufficient resources and lack of career staff closing stations leaving volunteers to carry the weight of response. Volunteers are also affected by the mental health challenges resulting from response and the organisational stress. Volunteers can also be struck down with known and accepted firefighter cancers.

We thank all those that have made it known that the relationship between volunteer and career firefighters is a productive relationship founded on the shared dedication to protect and serve communities. Volunteer firefighters are needed throughout the country, and we support volunteers responding as they usually would during the one-hour strikes held from 12 noon on Fridays.

Our beef is not with the NZ public, it is not with the dedicated volunteers, it is with FENZ and its mismanagement of critical resources and funding.

We have received various offers of support, requests to join the NZPFU, and the union t-shirts are also popular. We have had confirmation that volunteers will continue to support career firefighters and NZPFU members during the one-hour strike being held from 12 noon tomorrow Friday 19th December 2025, including some coming to the strike events.

For anyone wanting to show their support go to NZPFU Strike Event Locations to find the strike event from 12 noon tomorrow (Friday 19th December 2025) near you.

For those wanting to know other ways to help – or where to buy a Dire Emergency T-shirt go to:  https://direemergency.nz/get-involved/

In unity,
Wattie Watson
NZPFU National Secretary