Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist
Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.
If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.
A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.
Don't spend time trying to save possessions.
A closed door buys you time.
It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.
People have died by going back into a fire.
Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.
Ahikura Whānau-Centred Fire Education is dedicated to educating young people aged five to 17 and their whānau on the dangers of fire through personalised, culturally sensitive engagement. The Ahikura programme is available to all whanau/family in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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You're not alone. Many children and young people are curious about fire. Sometimes that curiosity can lead to unsafe behaviours such as playing with matches or lighters, setting small fires, or taking risks around fire.
Ahikura provides free, confidential, whānau-centred support to help children, young people, and their families understand fire risks and develop safer behaviours. The programme is available throughout Aotearoa New Zealand for young people aged 5-17 years.
Make an Ahikura referral(opens in a new tab)
Call: 0800 734 2667
Email: Ahikura@fireandemergency.nz(opens in a new tab)
We aim to contact whānau within 72 hours of receiving a referral.
If you're worried about a child or young person's behaviour around fire, Ahikura can help.
We accept referrals from:
A referral may be appropriate if a child or young person:
If you're unsure whether Ahikura is the right fit, please contact us. We're happy to discuss your situation and help determine whether a referral is appropriate.
Our free-of-charge programme began in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in 1992. In the 30 years since, we have made a significant difference for countless young people across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Over that time, we've learned that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every young person, whānau, and situation is unique, which is why our support is tailored to the individual needs of each child and family.
Our practitioners work one-on-one with young people and their whānau to understand their unique circumstances, learning needs, and experiences.
Support is tailored to the:
Our focus is on education, understanding, and building safer behaviours around fire.
We work alongside whānau because lasting change happens when families learn together.
Complete the Ahikura referral form or contact us by phone or email.
An Ahikura practitioner will contact the family or caregiver, usually within 72 hours of receiving the referral. During our first kōrero we'll introduce ourselves, explain the programme and answer any questions. We'll also take time to understand the concerns that led to the referral.
Building trust and connection is an important part of our approach. We take time to establish whanaungatanga, a connection, with the young person and their whānau before moving into the learning activities.
Once we've established whanaungatanga, we begin the mahi of the programme.
Sessions are tailored to the age, experiences and learning needs of each young person, and are designed to help fire safety messages resonate in a meaningful way.
Most families complete the programme in around two sessions, although additional support may be provided where appropriate. If other services may be beneficial, we can discuss available options with the whānau.
Ahikura works collaboratively with whānau and partner agencies to support positive outcomes for young people.
When making a referral, please provide:
Early referral can help reduce the risk of future fire-related incidents and provide families with practical support and education.
No. Ahikura is an educational and support programme that focuses on helping young people understand fire safety and develop safer behaviours.
Yes. Information shared with Ahikura is treated respectfully and appropriately.
No. Ahikura is a free service provided by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Children and young people aged 5-17 years.
We aim to contact whānau within 72 hours of receiving a referral.
Most families complete the programme in around two sessions, although this may vary depending on individual circumstances.
Usually in the family home. If that isn't suitable, an alternative location can be arranged.
Please contact us. We are happy to discuss your concerns and help determine whether Ahikura is the right support service.
Our team works to understand the individual needs of the young people participating in the programme, including some common learning and developmental differences such as autism and ADHD. However, some young people may have more complex behavioural, psychological, developmental or support needs that require specialist expertise.
Our priority is the wellbeing of the young person. If additional expertise is needed, we will work with the right people to make sure they get the help they need. We will never leave a child or whānau without support.
Every interaction, activity and decision is guided by what is best for the young person and their whānau.
As Fire and Emergency staff and volunteers, we are privileged to hold the trust and confidence of the communities we serve. We value that trust deeply and work hard to earn and maintain it every day.
From our first kōrero with a whānau through to our final visit, we focus on building meaningful relationships based on respect, understanding and trust.
The trust of whānau is essential to our mahi. While we need their involvement and consent, their role in the programme goes far beyond that. Whānau are a vital part of the learning journey.
Ahikura helps children, young people and their whānau understand the risks associated with fire and develop safer behaviours together. By taking a whānau-centred approach, we strengthen the support around each young person and increase the likelihood of positive, lasting change.
Our mahi is made possible by our referrers. We rely on people like you. We need whānau and community members, kaiako, school leaders, New Zealand Police and Oranga Tamariki to reach out and refer taiohi who could benefit from our programme.
With the support of our referrers and communities, we can play a short but important role in the lives of our young people. Through connection, education and support, we help build their confidence, resilience and mana.
We're here to help young people and their whānau learn how to stay safe around fire.
If you're concerned about a young person's behaviour around fire, we'd encourage you to get in touch. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, kaiako, social worker, Police officer or another professional, our team is here to kōrero about how Ahikura can help.
Complete the Ahikura Referral Form(opens in a new tab)
Phone: 0800 734 2667
Email: Ahikura@fireandemergency.nz
Early support can make a significant difference.
We value feedback from young people, whānau, referrers and partner agencies.
Your feedback helps us understand what's working well and how we can continue improving the support we provide.
Complete the Ahikura Feedback Form(opens in a new tab)
Thank you for helping us make Ahikura better for the families and communities we serve.
Email: Ahikura@fireandemergency.nz(opens in a new tab)
Ahikura Referral Form(opens in a new tab)
Ahikura Feedback Form(opens in a new tab)
If you're concerned about a child or young person's behaviour around fire, don't wait. We're here to help.
