Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Firefighters due back from Australia


Firefighters due back from Australia


22 January 2016

Twenty-three firefighters return home on Sunday (24/1) after completing a three-week deployment in Australia.

The group, drawn from rural fire authorities as well as from the Department of Conservation and forestry companies, will fly into Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown on Sunday afternoon.

The firefighters helped their Victoria counterparts battle bushfires along the state’s southwest coast. Much of their effort was concentrated around the coastal town of Lorne, 150 kilometres southwest of Melbourne.

The fires continue to burn in dense forest but are now under control, having destroyed 2,500 hectares.

A second contingent of 22 firefighters left on 11 January and will return on 2 February. They are building fire breaks in steep, rugged hill country where the fires are concentrated.

National Rural Fire Officer Kevin O'Connor said the Victorians had appreciated the assistance from the New Zealand firefighters who had gained valuable experience from the deployment.

The latest two deployments bring to 10 the number of times New Zealand firefighters have helped out in Australia in the past 15 years.

ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.