What we do and why we do it
He aha ā mātou mahi, ā, he aha ai

The Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017 combined urban and rural fire services into a single, integrated fire and emergency services organisation – Fire and Emergency NZ – with a mandate to provide a wide range of services for communities.

The Act provides the framework under which we operate and sets out our: principal objectives, main function and additional functions.

Principal objectives

Reducing the incidence of unwanted fires and the associated risk to life and property.

Protecting and preserving life, and preventing or limiting injury, damage to property, land and the environment.

Main functions

Promoting fire safety (including guidance on the safe use of fire as a land management tool) and firefighting.

Delivering fire prevention, response and suppression services.

Stabilising and rendering safe incidents involving hazardous substances.

Protecting the safety of persons and property endangered by incidents involving hazardous substances.

Rescuing trapped people as a result of transport accidents or other incidents.

Undertaking urban search and rescue.

Additional functions

The Act includes the following additional functions we may do if we have capability and capacity, and provided this does not affect our ability to carry out our main functions.

Responding to:

• medical emergencies
• maritime incidents
• weather events, natural hazard events and disasters
• incidents where substances present a risk to people, property or the environment
• any other situation where we can assist.

Promoting safe handling, labelling, signage, storage and transportation of hazardous substances.

Performing other rescues.

Providing assistance at transport incidents.

Statement of Intent

Our Statement of Intent (SOI) sets out our plans for where we are heading and why, and how our performance will be measured, over the next four years. It outlines how the activities we undertake and services we provide contributes to a safer environment for all New Zealanders through:

• Reducing the likelihood of unwanted fires
• Reducing consequences from emergencies, and
• Helping build resilient communities.

Statement of Performance Expectations

Our Statement of Performance Expectations (SPE) provides an outline of our strategic intentions and priorities, and should be read in conjunction with the 2020-24 Statement of Intent (SOI). At the end of the 2020/21 financial year, our performance was reported to Parliament in the 2021/22 Annual Report.