Pukekohe Volunteer Fire Brigade

23/05/2026

The Pukekohe SkyTower team is ready to climb. Wish them luck as their nerves pick up at the bottom of the tower!

Together the team has raised over $26,000 to add to the over $2 million raised nationwide!

Thank all so much for your support! Any last minute donations to Blood Cancer NZ are welcome at https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-pukekohe-volunteer-fire-brigade

29/04/2026

A huge congratulations to Robert and Leone, who have each recently completed FENZ courses!

Robert – passed his Station Officer course
“I completed my Volunteer Station Officer qualification because I have previously ridden as an officer for other brigades, and as a Senior Firefighter with Pukekohe Volunteer Brigade I’ve had opportunities to step in when we didn’t have enough officers for both trucks. I decided to undertake the qualification to help me do the job better and gain the tools needed to lead when required. It was a challenging experience, but very rewarding to achieve.”

Leone – passed her Recruit Firefighter course
“After a three-year stint as a recruit — and two babies later — I finally made it onto my course! It was a week of huge mental and physical challenges, but hard work and repetition definitely paid off with the reward of a yellow helmet and a new rank at the end. The live fire day was my favourite of the week; we’re lucky to get that experience under controlled conditions to prepare us for the real deal. I’m looking forward to having more responsibilities on the truck and can’t wait to see where my time with FENZ takes me!”

24/04/2026

Today, we remember.

Over time, Anzac Day has become a day to honour all New Zealanders who have served in war, conflict, and peacekeeping operations, and to reflect on the sacrifices made for our country.

At Pukekohe Fire Brigade, we stand alongside our community in remembering not only those who gave their lives, but also those who returned, and the whānau who carry their legacy.

Their courage, commitment, and service continue to inspire the way we serve others every day.

Lest we forget.

10/04/2026

With cyclone Vaianu heading our way, it’s time to prepare ourselves and our homes for some bad weather.

Tie down or bring inside anything which can blow away.
Turn trampolines upside down.
Clear debris from drains and gutters.
Make and practice your emergency plan.
Have a grab bag and emergency supplies ready to go.
Be prepared with torches and spare batteries.
Stay inside and don’t drive unless necessary.

Check on your neighbors, especially those who may be elderly or vulnerable, isolated or without communication.

Most importantly remember that safety is always first - if life, health or property is at risk, call 111 immediately.

08/04/2026

The first quarter 2026 is done and dusted already! It’s been a busy start to the year and we’re well and truly into the swing of our trainings.

We have been excited to have Senior Firefighter Will O’Connell (Stretch) promoted to Station Officer rank.
Stretch joins our team of 7 Officers who take charge of emergency incidents and lead the crews of firefighters to achieve the task at hand.
Congratulations Stretch!

24/02/2026

A little bit of Pukekohe Fire Brigade history

February 23 1930, Sunday, new two bay, two floor, brick, tile roof fire station operational corner Edinburgh Street and Massey Avenue, Pukekohe. Officially opened April 4 1930, Pukekohe Fire Board. Designed free by John Routly, Chairman of Fire Board and local Mayor, built by LG Watson, total cost £4,100. Rear of ground floor included two bedrooms. Superintendent Len [NL] Brown [a butcher], Deputy Superintendent W Adams. January 17 1927, Pukekohe Council would not sell portion of the new town hall site for a fire station. Tower removed in 1970's. Closed 1982, new station Harris Street and Wellington Street. Building still there 2026, a restaurant. Photo: Please acknowledge Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 08200

31/12/2025

In 2025, the Pukekohe Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to over 600 callouts, completed more than 30 Home Fire Safety Visits, and supported numerous community events. As a wholly volunteer station, these efforts reflect the strong commitment of our volunteers to protecting and serving the Pukekohe and surrounding communities.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the employers who continue to support our firefighters through their flexibility and understanding, enabling our volunteers to respond whenever the need arises.
I would also like to thank the Pukekohe community for its ongoing support, encouragement, and well-wishes, particularly across social media platforms. Your messages of appreciation are genuinely valued and provide ongoing motivation to our volunteers.
It is also important to acknowledge and thank the more than 12,000 Fire and Emergency New Zealand volunteers across the country, who continue to support and protect their communities every day.
Together, with the support of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, our employers, and our community, the Pukekohe Volunteer Fire Brigade remains proud to serve.
Thank you,
John Robinson
Chief Fire Officer
Pukekohe Volunteer Fire Brigade

31/12/2025

The last few days have kept our crews busy with weather-related calls across the Pukekohe area. With around 30 calls in just a couple of hours, it was truly a team effort.

A huge thank you to our neighbouring brigades — Tuakau Volunteer Fire Brigade, Waiau Pa Volunteer Fire Brigade, and Patumahoe Volunteer Fire Brigade — for their support and assistance. This is what community looks like: brigades working together to keep everyone safe.

Thanks also to our dedicated volunteers who dropped everything to respond. Stay safe out there, everyone.

🚒

22/12/2025

The Pukekohe Volunteer Fire Brigade would like to thank all employers and self-employed businesses who support our volunteers.
Your flexibility and understanding make it possible for our team to respond when our community needs us most.

We’re incredibly grateful for your ongoing support — we couldn’t do this without you. 🚒❤️

14/12/2025

In New Zealand in 2023, volunteer firefighters responded to callouts for 70 percent of motor vehicle accidents 🚙 71 percent of medical emergencies 🏥 81 percent of vegetation fires🔥

While volunteers use their 20-30 year old fire trucks🚒
Continue to attend every 111 call that comes through no matter what time of the day or night📱
Currently volunteers are and will remain excluded from mental or gradual process injuries which could come from exposure to toxins or cancers 🧑‍🚒

Every emergency you attend stays with you a little the good and the bad ones. This is a weight that sometimes becomes to heavy to carry alone but ACC don’t seem to think that mental injury support is important. We are always arriving on someone’s worst day 🥺

It is ridiculous the way the legislation is written. There is a lot of legislation not only within the ACC act but all acts that needs to be updated and amended to be relevent with the current day 📝

Parliament's Education and Workforce Committee said it agreed volunteer firefighters offered vital services to New Zealand, but it did not want to change the legislation.
Stating While we are sympathetic to the petitioner's arguments, we are concerned about the precedent that extending ACC cover to volunteer firefighters might set. We do not consider it practical for all types of volunteers to be provided with ACC workplace coverage 📄

Every volunteer I can think of would benefit from this cover from ACC. It is not only fire fighters that see terrible things. All the lifeguards, civil defence, ambulance staff and many more organisations and roles should be covered. The precedent should be set that we look after the people who do so much for others without expecting or getting anything in return 🤲

Post shared from Henderson Volunteer Fire Brigade

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/581589/acc-petition-for-volunteer-firefighters-rejected-by-parliament?fbclid=IwdGRleAOsGy1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeeKw7w7HiBgmVY2zRo1l7z06Xf_UTjlz1MYct_dGLywHDfYF2V-qTJhDnLv4_aem_eZrQdTDjHqU59L1j5F_n9A

Parliament has rejected a petition fighting to change ACC workplace legislation to include injured volunteer firefighters.