Regulatory Compliance forms part of our risk reduction work and is primarily aimed at assisting to keep our communities, and the things they value, safe from fire.

Under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017, and its associated legislation, Fire and Emergency NZ has been given significant regulatory compliance responsibilities, and with these responsibilities comes enforcement powers to support our interventions in cases of non-compliance.

Our primary focus will always be on reducing risk through providing education and advice, so organisations and individuals can clearly understand the risks that exist, and to provide them with the tools and information they need to comply. 

We’re fortunate that most people do the right thing when it comes to fire safety. However, it is our role to use our regulatory compliance powers where education fails, and organisations or individuals choose not to take our advice and are non-compliant.  In cases where we determine non-compliance to be of a serious nature, we do have the authority to take immediate enforcement action as necessary.

We have a range of enforcement options that are available to us, from issuing of infringements through to undertaking legal proceedings.

For more detailed information about Fire and Emergency’s approach to Regulatory Compliance, you can read our Regulatory Compliance Guide