Gisborne Brigade Volunteer Unit

14/10/2026

Let’s take a moment to appreciate our volunteers!

Our volunteer firefighters across Tairāwhiti do an incredible job, and today we want to give a special mihi to the Tolaga Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade

In the early hours of this morning, the crew responded to a medical event. Later in the day, they attended a machine fire. As they returned to reset the trucks and get ready for the next call, another medical came through.

A huge thank you to the Tolaga Bay volunteers for your response today, as well as all the behind-the-scenes mahi that goes into training, maintaining equipment and recommissioning trucks so you’re ready when your community needs you.

A big mihi also to the employers who released their staff today to answer the call and serve their community. Your support makes a real difference.

This is what volunteering looks like. Giving your time, stepping up when needed, and putting your community first — often without much recognition.

Take a moment to thank the volunteers in your community. They give so much to keep our whānau and communities safe.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa!

09/10/2026

Upcoming forestry events in New Zealand.

26/09/2026

It's always “is your smoke alarm is working”, never “how is your smoke alarm?” 😔

This daylight saving weekend check in on your smoke alarms. Are they feeling energised? Are they looking a little dusty? Are they close to their use by date?

This is your friendly reminder to check your smoke alarms and give them some love this Spring ❤️

14/09/2026

Kia ora whānau,
We’re feeling pretty disappointed.

At around 4.15am - 6am Saturday morning, while our crew was out on an emergency callout, two of our crew's utes were tampered with and a toolbox was stolen from one.

It’s sad to think that while we’re out helping our whānau, others are helping themselves to our gear.

Kia mataara e te whānau. Please keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. If you have any info make contact.

31/08/2026

26/08/2026

🔥 Training Night Has Changed! 🚒

Our Whatatutu Fire Brigade training nights have now moved to Tuesdays 6pm

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, come down to the fire station and have a kōrero with us. No pressure, no commitment — just come and meet the crew and find out what we’re about.

There are roles to suit all abilities, and you don’t have to be a firefighter to be an important part of our brigade.

👨‍🚒 Come along. Have a kōrero. See where you could fit in.

Whatatutu Volunteer Fire Brigade — supporting our community, together. ❤️

25/08/2026

Gisborne Vollies , training off station. With Firefighters and recruits practicing and learning through hose drills.

Trainings every Monday 7pm sharp. Pop down for a look if youre interested in what we do as vollunteer firefighters. There maybe a place for you too.

18/08/2026

Tomorrow, between 12pm and 1pm, members of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union will be stopping work for one hour.

We will continue to answer 111 fire calls. Volunteer stations in the affected cities and towns will respond, as they regularly do when there are multiple emergencies.

If you are at home, do not leave cooking unattended. Make sure you have working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and living area.

If there is a fire, get out, stay out, and call 111.

If you are at work, know your building evacuation plan. If there is a fire or the fire alarm sounds, exit the building, assemble at your safe meeting place and call 111.

If you are on a job site that uses spark or heat generating tools, we ask you to refrain from using these tools during this hour.

It is important to acknowledge that this strike action will not affect the parts of the country served by our volunteers.

If you are unsure whether your area is affected, please visit https://shorturl.at/thoU5

16/08/2026

We know the weather out there at the moment isn't that great. But looking ahead at the upcoming months before Christmas, we are forecast to get an El Niño weather pattern.

Plan ahead now!

✅ Do you have any large burns planned?

✅ Or are you planning a large burn such as a burn pile, skid site, forestry slash or any other large burn?

✅ Now is the time to undertake these fires, with the prediction of an El Nino summer approaching.

❗️Information below:

🔥 El Niño could bring a dangerous fire season for NZ.

An El Niño is forecast, bringing drier conditions through late winter and a warmer, drier and windier summer, particularly in our District.

This could mean a much higher wildfire risk, with escaped fires becoming harder to control. Fire restrictions and prohibitions may need to be introduced earlier this year.

🔥 If you have a large burn planned, now is the time to get it done. Large piles can smoulder for a long time, so make sure they are completely extinguished before fire danger increases.

If you can’t burn the whole pile, reduce the size and feed the fire gradually.

📲 Let us know when you’re lighting your burn:
0800 658 628 or checkitsalright.nz

Let’s stay safe and reduce the risk of escaped fires this summer.

09/08/2026

Today the East Coast Provincial Fire Brigades Association held its 2026 AGM hosted by the Eastland Fire Brigade

Another good member turnout with guest speakers Bill Butzbach (UFBA) online and in person from Tairāwhiti Assistant District Commander Trudi Hicklin presenting to the members the readiness phase for El Nīno and how that looks for our district.

Elections of officers completed for the 2026-27 year
Details as per executive in photo attached

Left to Right
Peter Barron (Eastland) Secretary/ Treasurer
Dardie Hughes (Gis Volunteers) Vice President
Andrew Shelton (Tolaga Bay) President
Gracie Hughes (Tokomaru Bay) Immediate Past President
Karl Scragg (Manutuke) Executive Officer