Select committee report urges overhaul of FENZ board and truck buying process
A parliamentary select committee report criticised Fire and Emergency New Zealand's governance and procurement, recommending a review of its board and the authority to purchase its own fire trucks.
A scathing select committee report has exposed long-standing failures within Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), urging the government to reconsider both the agency's board composition and its ability to buy its own fire trucks. The committee noted that 30 trucks purchased in 2019 have never been deployed, and ladder trucks slated for delivery after a July 2025 inspection remain with manufacturers. It raised concerns about a culture of mid-process design changes and highlighted that the board provided no evidence of questioning the new fleet between December 2023 and the inquiry.
The report recommends evaluating whether FENZ should retain self-procurement powers or receive additional support, and suggests redirecting effort from producing corporate documents to tangible frontline upgrades. New board chair Raveen Jaduram, appointed in June, has begun implementing initiatives to improve accountability, oversight, and risk management in fleet procurement. He acknowledged the shortcomings and committed to transparent action to meet community expectations.
Why it matters
The findings could reshape how New Zealand's fire service acquires equipment, affecting public safety and government spending.
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