Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it will return to collective bargaining with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union next week following the union’s withdrawal of a planned one hour strike on Friday 14 November.
Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler said the withdrawal avoided further disruption before bargaining sessions on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November.
Stiffler said: “Every time the NZPFU strikes, they compromise public safety.
“We are very pleased communities will not be disrupted again today, and we urge the NZPFU to withdraw its strike notices for Friday 21 and Friday 28 November.
“We had applied for facilitation under urgency with the Employment Relations Authority because of the protracted nature of bargaining and the impact on the public from strike action but today the authority adjourned the hearing until 25 November.
“Fire and Emergency’s goal is, and has always been, to reach a fair, sustainable, and reasonable settlement with the NZPFU. We are doing everything we can to achieve an agreement without disrupting the services communities rely on.
“The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union made a counter proposal which was well outside Fire and Emergency’s bargaining parameters.
“Following a robust and useful discussion, and further testing of possible components of a settlement, the NZPFU tabled a new pay proposal.
“While Fire and Emergency shared with the Union the concern that the proposal was highly likely to be outside of Fire and Emergency’s bargaining parameters, this represents a step forward in negotiations.
“Fire and Emergency is meeting with the NZPFU to continue bargaining on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November 2025.
“Any settlement must be sustainable; balance cost of living pressures being faced by individuals alongside fiscal pressures faced by Fire and Emergency and be consistent with the Government Workforce Policy Statement.”
Key elements of the dispute
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said negotiations have been ongoing since July 2024 for career firefighters.
The organisation said it has improved its original pay offer of 5.1% over three years, alongside changes to allowances.
It said this offer aligns with its financial constraints and the Government Workforce Policy Statement.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the last agreement in 2022 delivered a cumulative wage increase of up to 24% over three years.
The organisation also noted ongoing investment in fleet replacement, stating that 317 trucks have been replaced since 2017 with a further 78 on order.
Wider organisational restructure underway
Separate reporting from RNZ said Fire and Emergency New Zealand is progressing the largest restructure in its eight-year history.
RNZ said a 266-page change proposal outlines plans affecting about 140 roles, with unions warning that loss of support roles could affect emergency response.
RNZ reported that the proposal would remove the five-region structure and reorganise existing districts under new reporting lines.
According to RNZ, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the restructure is driven by volatile revenue and increasing operational demand linked to climate impacts.
RNZ said firefighters and union representatives raised concerns about reduced support for risk reduction work and pressure on district workloads.
RNZ reported that frontline firefighter roles and 111-call handlers would not be cut.
Reactions from union and sector representatives
RNZ said the Public Service Association estimated the restructure would remove more than 13% of non-firefighter roles.
According to RNZ, the Fire Emergency Commanders Association questioned how regional functions would be absorbed under the new model.
RNZ reported that risk reduction staff, who carry out building checks and oversee evacuation scheme maintenance, expressed concern about diminished preventative capacity.
Next steps in negotiations
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said bargaining will continue on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November.
The Employment Relations Authority hearing on facilitation is scheduled to resume on 25 November.
Implications for emergency response planning in New Zealand
The continuation of bargaining between Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union has implications for senior fire officers and emergency managers who rely on stable workforce arrangements.
Pay and conditions for career firefighters affect staffing availability, deployment planning and long-term retention.
These factors can influence how incident commanders allocate resources during emergency events.
The restructure described by RNZ involves changes to district structures and support roles.
These changes could alter how operational leaders receive administrative, training and risk reduction support.
The proposed separation of volunteer and paid firefighter training functions may require adjustments to training delivery models.
Facility managers and building safety professionals may take interest in the future capacity of risk reduction teams.
These teams conduct checks on evacuation schemes and oversee compliance work.
These developments could shape planning assumptions for organisations that coordinate with Fire and Emergency New Zealand during joint response operations.