Consultation opens on new fire levy

The public has the chance to make submissions on proposed fire levy increases. File photo.The public has the chance to make submissions on proposed fire levy increases. File photo.

Public consultation opens today on a new rate of levy on fire insurance contracts, to help fund the future of New Zealand's fire services.

The New Zealand Fire Service Commission is currently funded from a levy on fire and motor vehicle insurance contracts, which hasn't increased since 2008.

Under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Bill currently before Parliament, the NZ Fire Service, National Rural Fire Authority, and 38 other rural fire authorities will merge to become one organisation known as FENZ from July 1, 2017.

NZFS Commission Board chair Paul Swain says to successfully transition to the new organisation while maintaining the high service delivery standards, the board expects the levy will need to increase by about $36 per year for the average homeowner, or 70 cents per week.

'We know every dollar counts for New Zealanders. However, this proposed increase would ensure firefighters are properly funded to provide services to communities, which include firefighting, and responding to medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and natural disasters.

'Bringing 626 operational units and over 14,000 firefighters and support staff together is not a simple or quick task, so we need to invest the right amount of time and money to ensure we get it right.

'The end result will be a unified fire service that can adapt as the risks and needs across our communities change.”

Minister of Internal Affairs Peter Dunne says the Government is committed to building a 21st century fire service that is fairly and adequately funded to support its career and volunteer workforce, and its rural and urban communities.

The result of this consultation would be implemented around mid-2017, and from 2018-19 Cabinet has agreed to an updated levy arrangement collected on insurance for all property damage, and extending the levy on motor vehicles to include third-party insurance, explains Peter.

'Kiwi's rightly place an extraordinary level of trust in our firefighters, and I think everyone would agree they do an outstanding job.

'This proposed increase would make sure our hardworking firefighters are receiving the most complete support from a properly funded, fit-for-purpose organisation into the future.”

The New Zealand Fire Service Commission is taking public submissions on this proposed levy increase until 5pm, Wednesday, November 30. Submissions can be made online at www.firelevy.co.nz

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3 comments

Yes Service is in Need of Support

Posted on 27-10-2016 14:40 | By tabatha

The fire service is becoming in more demand in many aspects of it's work, not just fires but medical, accidents to name two more. All I would say if it is ACC related some should come from that levy when an accident is the response incident.


Ratepayers again!

Posted on 27-10-2016 19:33 | By stokey

The Firefighters should ALL be full timers, funded by Government through taxes. I'm sorry but a number of volunteer fire fighters are well paid cowboys and reorganisation is long overdue.


User Pays...

Posted on 27-10-2016 19:38 | By GreertonCynic

is the mantra from this government as they asset strip and privatise left, right and even further right. How about spending some of the surplus (gained from asset stripping and privatisation) on some much needed infrastructure?


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