Eke Taumata is a new programme established to support Fire and Emergency to achieve long-term workplace culture change and ensure a positive work experience for our people.

Part of the remit of Eke Taumata, is to respond the recommendations in the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission review(external link) released in December 2022. 

If we want to change our culture, we need to do more than implement the recommendations. We also need to recognise the intentions behind the recommendations and make the systemic changes needed to build a workplace defined by respect and inclusion.

We have a collective responsibility for this mahi work Close  – Eke Taumata is about our values and who we are and want to be as an organisation.

We’re committed to doing this right which means taking the time to understand, to build a strong foundation and then to move forward together in the right direction.

Launch of Te Tikanga Whanonga | our Code of Conduct

Te Tikanga Whanonga | our Code of Conduct [PDF, 2.8 MB] sets out the behaviour and actions expected from all Fire and Emergency people, supports them to make the right decisions and judgements, and sets out what will happen if they act outside those expectations. It is supported by our revised Bullying, harassment and victimisation policy and new unacceptable behaviours schedule. 

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is focused on creating a safe, positive and inclusive environment; a place where people feel they belong, and are supported to and enabled to thrive, so collectively we can deliver service to our communities and to each other. Te Tikanga Whanonga, our Code of Conduct is a key foundation of this work.

Complaints Management

We have reviewed and updated our complaints management process. We’ve partnered with Fair Way, experts in disputes resolution, to deliver Speak Safe @ Fair Way. All volunteers and staff can access this external and independent service to raise any issues in a safe and confidential way.

In 2022, Fire and Emergency Board Chair, Rebecca Keoghan asked Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission review our progress to build a positive workplace culture and complaints handling practices.  

We wanted to seek independent expertise to help us assess our work so far and plan the next steps in our journey to improve the workplace environment for all our people. 

The report was published in December 2022 and the Board accepted all findings and recommendations.

In response, the Eke Taumata programme was established both to respond to the review report and to support Fire and Emergency to deliver long-term workplace culture change.

Eke Taumata is the abbreviated version of – “Kia eke ki ngā taumata” or to aspire to greater level. Taumata refers to a pinnacle or higher level. Other interpretations refer to taumata as being the top of a hill, an improved desired state or vision. In our context we can describe our own taumata as the desired state for our workplace. Eke is a verb that in our context means to climb or embark upon. Together the two words describe our active journey to our desired improved state.