Fire and Emergency New Zealand responds to union ERA action

6 October 2026

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is disappointed to see the Public Service Association (PSA) and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) file legal proceedings with the Employment Relations Authority regarding Fire and Emergency’s organisation structure changes.

"We have undertaken significant engagement with the unions on the reasons for change over recent months since we accepted the March determination of the Employment Relations Authority," Acting Chief Executive, Darryl Purdy says.

"It was our view that the engagement process had reached a stage where the key issues had been identified, discussed, and considered by all parties.

"While we have genuinely sought consensus with our unions, there is a fundamental disagreement with some of the unions as to whether any structure change should take place at all," Darryl Purdy says.

"We now consider it appropriate to move forward, taking into account both the feedback received, and the organisation’s assessment of the changes required.

"We are also acutely aware of the impact this prolonged process has had on our people, who have been telling us clearly that they need to see a conclusion to the change process begun nearly eleven months ago," he says.

"This latest ERA challenge is further slowing down an already protracted change process for our people and continuing to leave them in a position of uncertainty.

"We recognise the ERA will now be considering the case put forward by the PSA and NZPFU and we will prepare our responses accordingly. As this is an ongoing case, we will not be providing any further comment at this time."