National announce election policy to 'reset' FENZ
New Zealand's National Party has announced an election policy to reset Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) by eliminating the FENZ Board and making it directly accountable to a minister. The policy follows critical inquiries regarding agency spending and operational failures.
Why it matters
Proposes a major structural overhaul of national emergency services and highlights political accountability for public safety infrastructure.
National have announced a plan to "reset" Fire and Emergency services, if re-elected.
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Meanwhile, the firefighters' union is presenting a petition to Parliament on Wednesday for better pay, after repeated strike action.
Spokesperson for emergency management and recovery minister Mark Mitchell said the party would make FENZ a departmental agency directly accountable to the minister for emergency management, removing the FENZ Board.
The policy comes after a report slammed FENZ for repeatedly giving wrong answers to questions from a Parliamentary Committee, and spending $275,000 on PR and lawyers.
The report laid bare failings, including the purchasing of 30 new trucks in 2019 which are still not being used.
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