Fire and Emergency NZ

What Fire and Emergency NZ does

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is a Crown entity established on 1 December 2017 under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017, formed through the merger of the New Zealand Fire Service and the rural fire authorities. Headquartered in Wellington, FENZ operates as New Zealand's monopoly provider of fire and emergency response services, running nearly 600 stations nationwide staffed by more than 14,000 firefighters and support personnel — a mix of career firefighters, officers, and 11,000+ volunteers. The organisation's mandate has expanded significantly beyond fire response: only 59% of incidents are now fire-related, with the remainder covering medical callouts, maritime incidents, and severe weather events. FENZ delivers services through the 111 emergency call system, supported by a National Communications Centre, and maintains digital channels including Emergency Mobile Alerts (in partnership with NEMA), the checkitsalright.nz fire danger tool, and the firepermit.nz permit portal. Its product and programme portfolio spans home fire safety (3-Step Escape Plan, smoke alarm guidance, Home Fire Safety Visits), school education (Get Firewise, Māui-tinei-ahi, Get Out! Stay Out!, E Puta! E Noho ki Waho!), building compliance (Evacuation Schemes under the Fire and Emergency NZ Regulations 2018), rural fire management (fire seasons, fire danger index, permits), and marae-specific safety resources via the Māori Advisory Rōpū. Technical infrastructure includes ABBYY Vantage document AI for invoice automation across 650+ sites and integration with national emergency alerting systems.

The business model is government-mandated and levy-funded rather than market-based. Approximately 95% of income is derived from fire insurance levies paid by property owners — a mechanism established under 1975 legislation with rates set for periods beginning 1 July 2026 — with additional government funding channelled through the Department of Internal Affairs, which is currently reviewing whether the levy structure remains appropriate given FENZ's expanded responsibilities. All emergency services are provided free at point of use; there is no per-incident pricing. The customer base is effectively universal — every New Zealand resident and property owner — with secondary segments including schools, building owners and tenants, rural property owners, and marae and Māori communities. FENZ operates under a Board appointed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, with Kerry Gregory as Chief Executive and Raveen Jaduram appointed Board Chair on 29 June 2026. As a Crown entity, FENZ does not raise private capital, has no parent operating company other than the New Zealand Government, and is not subject to conventional PE/VC/M&A investment dynamics — making this analysis primarily relevant for understanding operational risk, funding model sustainability, and strategic positioning rather than equity return.

Name

Fire and Emergency NZ

Legal name

Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Website

https://fireandemergency.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is a Crown entity providing monopoly fire, medical, maritime, and severe-weather emergency response across New Zealand via nearly 600 stations and 14,000+ personnel, funded primarily by fire insurance levies and serving all residents free at point of use.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Fire and Rescue Services

NAICS

Fire Protection (92216), Fire Protection (922160), Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire & Rescue Services (Fire Suppression, Rescue) (BPAIAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integrated Forest Health & Fire Management Planning (AFAMAEAK), Firebreak & Defensible Space Construction (AFAMAEAF), State/Provincial Public Safety & Emergency Management (Police, Fire, EMS Oversight) (BPAIABAG)

Keywords

• Fire emergency services
• Fire safety education
• Emergency response coordination
• Wildfire management
• Building fire safety

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Fire Insurance Levy: Approximately 95% of income derived from fire insurance levies paid by property owners. Established under 1975 legislation, with rates set for periods beginning 1 July 2026.
2. Government Funding: Additional government funding through Department of Internal Affairs, with ongoing review of funding model appropriateness given expanded responsibilities beyond firefighting

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is the national Crown entity responsible for fire and emergency response across New Zealand. It delivers 24/7 fire, medical, maritime, and severe weather emergency response through a network of nearly 600 stations staffed by career firefighters and over 11,000 volunteers. Beyond emergency response, it provides home fire safety programmes, school-based fire safety education, evacuation scheme compliance, fire permit and fire danger management for rural areas, and public emergency alerting in partnership with NEMA.

Product overview

Fire and Emergency New Zealand operates as a public safety agency providing emergency response services alongside a portfolio of fire safety products and programs. The core offerings include the 3-Step Escape Plan and smoke alarm education for household fire safety, along with building safety management through Evacuation Schemes and the Fire Seasons/Fire Danger permit system for outdoor fire risk management. Educational programs such as Get Firewise, Māui-tinei-ahi, Get Out! Stay Out!, and E Puta! E Noho ki Waho! serve schools and Māori communities. The agency also provides digital tools including Check It's Alright (fire danger checking), Fire Permit applications, and Emergency Mobile Alerts. Fire safety campaigns cover lithium-ion battery safety, distracted cooking prevention, and winter fire safety. All services operate through the agency's website portal at fireandemergency.nz.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3-Step Escape Plan A structured home fire safety program guiding households to plan two escape routes and a meeting place in case of a fire, with associated safety checklist (Get low, Be fast, Close doors, Get out - stay out).
• Smoke Alarms Guidance Information and guidance on smoke alarm installation and maintenance, cited as making households four times more likely to survive a house fire.
• Get Firewise Curriculum-based fire safety resource for primary school children providing knowledge to stay fire safe and escape from burning buildings.
• Māui-tinei-ahi Māori language fire safety programme for schools teaching children about fire safety.
• Get Out! Stay Out! School fire safety programme teaching children what to do in case of fire.
• E Puta! E Noho ki Waho! Māori language version of the Get Out! Stay Out! school safety programme.
• Home Fire Safety Visits Free home visits to assess fire safety and provide personalised advice on smoke alarm installation and escape planning.
• Evacuation Schemes Regulatory compliance system for building owners and tenants covering evacuation procedures and building fire safety.
• Fire Seasons and Fire Danger Index Outdoor fire risk assessment and permit system informing the public about fire seasons, fire danger levels, and requirements for lighting fires.
• Fire Permit System Online portal for applying for fire permits during restricted fire seasons.
• Check It's Alright Online tool allowing users to check fire danger conditions before lighting a fire or using outdoor equipment.
• Emergency Mobile Alerts

Quantifiable outcome

• Only 59% of incidents are fire-related, demonstrating expanded emergency service scope

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Emergency Mobile Alert system to alert people when their lives, property or health are at serious risk. System operates under Support and Operational Model developed by NEMA.
• NZ PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency in Emergency Mobile Alert system and joint emergency response operations.
• Ministry of Primary IndustriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency in Emergency Mobile Alert distribution system.
• Ministry of HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency in Emergency Mobile Alert distribution system.
• AFAC (Australasian Fire Authorities Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative organization for public fire services, land management, and emergency service organizations in Australia and New Zealand.
• Forest and Rural Fire Association of New Zealand (FRFANZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization to improve effectiveness of rural firefighting, fire prevention and protection measures through research encouragement.
• NZPFU (New Zealand Professional Firefighters' Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey union partner representing firefighters, officers, National Communications Centre staff, and operational roles. Currently in collective bargaining for 2025-2026 agreements.
• PSA (Public Service Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic Service Association representing nearly 62,000 workers in central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
• Fire & Emergency Commanders Association (FECA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation focusing on advocacy and professional development for Area and Assistant commanders.
• United Fire Brigades' Association (UFBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational body representing and uniting fire brigades throughout New Zealand.
• Firefighters Welfare SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSociety focused on helping firefighters in New Zealand and their families since 1987.
• Rural Professionals AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation providing collaborative voice, support and representation for members from the rural fire sector.
• New Zealand Fire Brigades' Institute of New Zealand (NZFBI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute established 1931 encouraging technical training through field days and other incentives.
• Department of Internal AffairscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment department conducting review of Fire and Emergency NZ funding model, questioning appropriateness of fire insurance levy for expanded responsibilities.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fire and Rescue NSW: Largest urban fire and rescue service in Australia serving NSW with a combined career and volunteer workforce. Comparable to FENZ as a statutory state-level fire authority delivering urban and rural fire response, prevention, and community education across a large jurisdiction.
• London Fire Brigade: Statutory fire and rescue service for Greater London, one of the largest in the world. Comparable to FENZ as a capital-city-focused career fire service with prevention, community education, and complex incident response mandates.

Direct peers

• Country Fire Authority (CFA): Volunteer-based fire and emergency service for Victoria, Australia. Highly comparable to FENZ's rural fire and volunteer model, including integrated wildfire response, community education, and prevention programmes across a large geographic footprint.
• Queensland Fire and Emergency Services: Combined fire and emergency services agency for Queensland covering fire, rescue, and disaster response. Mirrors FENZ's all-hazards mandate and statutory monopoly model within an Australian state context.
• Fire Rescue Victoria: Career firefighter agency in Victoria, Australia delivering structural firefighting, rescue, and HAZMAT response. Comparable to FENZ's career firefighter arm and metropolitan response capabilities, with overlapping industrial relations dynamics.
• Department of Fire and Emergency Services (Western Australia): Western Australia's primary fire and emergency service, combining career, volunteer, and bushfire brigades. Comparable to FENZ in its integrated urban-rural service delivery and prevention focus across a vast geography.

Others

• AFAC (Australasian Fire Authorities Council): Peak body for fire, land management, and emergency service organisations in Australasia. FENZ is a member; the organisation is comparable as a coordinating body for cross-jurisdictional fire knowledge sharing and standards.
• National Fire Chiefs Council (UK): UK professional body representing fire and rescue service leaders. Comparable to FENZ through its coordination role across prevention, response, and policy, though it is an industry body rather than an operational agency.
• National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) - New Zealand: New Zealand's lead agency for emergency management, coordinating civil defence and emergency mobile alerts. Directly comparable to FENZ as a statutory partner in the Emergency Mobile Alerts system and a peer all-hazards public agency within New Zealand.

Regional players

• SA Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS): South Australian metropolitan fire service delivering urban fire, rescue, and HAZMAT response. Comparable to FENZ's career metropolitan operations and special operations capabilities, though operating in a different Australian jurisdiction.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fireemergencynz
• Facebookfacebook.com/fireandemergencynz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fireandemergencynz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fire and Emergency NZ