Fire and Emergency New Zealand is almost entirely funded by a levy on contracts of insurance where property is insured against the risk of fire.

The definition of 'property'

'Property' means any real or personal property situated in New Zealand, but does not include the exempted categories of property set out in Schedule 3 of the Fire Service Act 1975 (the Act), or any property which is the subject of cover under a contract of marine insurance as defined in the Act.

Property includes, but is not limited to: 

• buildings
• office equipment
• plant equipment
• contents
• stock
• car parks

Calculating and paying levy

Responsibility for calculating and making payment of levy depends on how the insurance cover is being arranged.

• Where there is a New Zealand-based insurer involved in the policy, levy is payable by the insurer.
• Where there is not a New Zealand-based insurer involved, but there is a New Zealand-based broker, levy is payable by the broker.
• Where there is a New Zealand-based broker, but insurance is split between New Zealand-based insurers and offshore insurers, then the New Zealand-based insurer is responsible for their portion of risk insured, and the New Zealand-based broker is responsible for the portion of risk insured offshore.
• In all other circumstances, levy is payable to Fire and Emergency New Zealand by the insured.

All payments of the Fire and Emergency Levy must be submitted with the appropriate forms, depending on the situation. For information on form requirements, see Levy payments and forms.

Levy is payable by the 15th day of the second month following commencement or renewal of the policy. For example, if a policy is from 1 January 2022 to 1 January 2023, then the Fire and Emergency Levy would be payable by 15 March 2022.

Goods and Services Tax (currently 15%) is payable on the Fire and Emergency Levy.

Late payments

Late payments may incur interest and/or surcharge, therefore it is in your best interest to ensure levy is paid by the due date.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand endeavours to ensure that direct payers who paid levy in prior years are sent reminder letters, however the calculation and payment of levy ultimately falls on the party that is responsible for payment.

Further policy and guidance

Guide	Purpose
Guide for levy payers	A guide for direct payers of the Fire and Emergency Levy.
Increase in levy rate from 1 July 2024 during transitional period	This guide explains how Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s fire insurance levies will increase from 1 July 2024. These increases include mid-term adjustments (MTAs) to fire insurance contracts.

 

Policy	Purpose
Confidentiality of levy information and documents	Sets out policy to ensure that the confidentiality of levy information including details and personal information is maintained as set out in the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017.
Interest on overdue levy payments	Sets out policy for charging and waiving of interest on overdue levy payments.
Assessment of levy refunds	Sets out policy for processing requests for levy refunds.

 

Further guidance	Purpose
Indemnity value, valuations and declarations	Guidance to assist those to whom the Act applies in regard to the levy in the calculation of Indemnity Values and the requirements around valuations and declarations as evidence supporting these calculations.
Completing the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Statutory Declaration	Guidance on how to complete the statutory declaration. For more information, see Statutory declaration requests.
Completing the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Statutory Declaration for overseas customers	Guidance on how to complete the statutory declaration for overseas customers. For more information, see Statutory declaration requests.
Valuations for Insurance Purposes, ANZ Guidance Note 13	Guidance on information, commentary, advice and recommendations for those undertaking valuations of property, plant and equipment for insurance purposes – including indemnity value.
Contract Works - Property in course of construction or alteration	Guidance on how to comply with levy obligations for property under construction or alteration that is insured against loss or damage from fire. This guide replaces Circular 1999/3 Property in Course of Construction or Alteration.
Exemptions from Fire and Emergency Levy	Information on all categories of property exempt from the Fire and Emergency Levy as per Schedule 3 of the Fire Service Act 1975 and Schedule 1 of the Fire and Emergency Act 2017.
Levy exemption for art and items in collections	Guidance on applying the art and items in collections exemption introduced by the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Act 2019.

 

Example	Purpose
Submit levy information example	An example of the format to use to submit levy information.