Fire and Emergency New Zealand Bill

Public submissions are being invited on this bill. The closing date for submissions is Thursday 18 August 2016.

New Zealand’s fire service legislation has not fundamentally changed since the 1940s. The Fire and Emergency New Zealand Bill is intended to enable:

• “fit-for-purpose” 21st century fire services that are flexible, modern, effective, and efficient; and
• fire services that work well, are funded appropriately, and value the paid and volunteer workforce.

The bill repeals the 2 Acts governing fire service, the Fire Service Act 1975 and the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977, to give effect to a single, unified fire services organisation for New Zealand.

The bill proposes to give the existing Crown entity, the New Zealand Fire Service Commission, expanded functions and a new name that reflects the wide range of services that fire fighters provide. The organisation will continue as Fire and Emergency Management New Zealand (FENZ). It will combine urban and rural fire services and will have local committees to ensure FENZ is responsive to the risks and the needs of the communities in which it serves.

Submissions should be forwarded by the due date, either online using our website (www.parliament.nz) or in writing to the address below. If a submitter wishes to appear before the committee, they need to state this clearly and provide a name, daytime phone number and email address. Submissions generally become public and are published on our website. For further guidance on making a submission, read our publication Making a submission to a Parliamentary Select Committee on our website or contact us at 04 817 9520.

Address for correspondence: Government Administration Committee, Parliament Buildings, WELLINGTON 6160

ENDS

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