Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade

12/03/2026

A total fire ban will come into force for most of the Queenstown Lakes District on the 12 March, when a Prohibited Fire Season takes effect in the Lakes Fire Zone shown on the map.

🔥 All outdoor fires are banned.
🔥 Vegetation is very dry and will burn easily.
🔥 Call 111 straight away if you see flames or smoke
🔥 Go to www.checkitsalright.nz to find out what fire restrictions apply in your location.

01/03/2026

Labour ACC spokesperson Camilla Belich said last year it received a petition from volunteer firefighters on the (ACC) issue, and felt they had identified an inconsistency in the law.

"Obviously we rely heavily on volunteer firefighters in New Zealand, we rely on them to go into emergency situations and save lives."

Belich said Labour would consider changing the rules to cover mental injury for all volunteers.

"If they are injured and they receive a diagnosis of something like PTSD, they should be able to claim ACC in the same way that their paid counterparts would be."

Belich said the cost to ACC would be manageable, despite the entity running huge deficits.

"We did look into the cost issue and we know the government requested and received advice from ACC on what the cost of this could be and it really is quite minimal."

She said the cost of not covering volunteers also should be considered.

"The cost of that is the fact that we have people who are performing work for free for the benefit of all of us... and when they need support from ACC, ACC is not there for them at the moment."

Current legislation meant volunteers were only covered for physical injuries sustained by responding to events.

26/02/2026

We will continue to advocate for better for our Volunteers. They give a lot to their communities and it's not too much to ask that they receive the help they need.

We appreciate your support in getting this message through.

Pete, we stand alongside you, we support you, (and today we wish you a happy birthday)

Peter Ottley still remembers his world turning upside down, but all he has got since is apologies.

Full story ⬇

26/02/2026

Kerre Woodham - I can't even believe we're having to discuss this, but we are. It seems absolutely ludicrous that drunk drivers who say, kill their passengers, maim their passengers, smash their own selves up after crashing their vehicles —hopefully not into innocent victims, but sometimes it will be— are able to claim ACC, but the volunteer firefighters and the first responders who are volunteers who respond to the crash and have to deal with the horror of the aftermath, quite often they will know the people involved if it happens in a small community. If they're the ones that have to unwrap a kid from a drive shaft, they are not able to claim ACC for trauma counselling or PTSD.
What they do is considered a leisure activity.

Listen to the podcast below.

Join Kerre Woodham one of New Zealand’s best loved personalities as she dishes up a bold, sharp and energetic show Monday to Friday 9am-12md on Newstalk ZB. News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your morning listening covered.

25/02/2026

Happy birthday Fergburger
Wow what a surprise! Thank you for this generous donation. We are so grateful for your continuous support.
Thank you for including us in your celebrations.
We ❤️ Ferg

Proud to support our Volunteer Fire Brigade ❤️🚒

Thank you to the legends who give their time and energy to protect others. We’re grateful for everything you do.

07/02/2026

Come along. starts from 3pm at Cargo Collective

07/02/2026

We're looking forward to this one. See you there.

22/01/2026

Onsen Hot Pools, you are wonderful ❤️
We are very grateful for the kind donation

This community shows up.

Over the past months, guests came together to support the Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade. People who give their own time to stand ready for moments most of us never want to face, but are grateful to know someone will.

That care continues.

Our current charity pool supports The Kate Moetaua Foundation, carrying forward the legacy of a much loved Wakatipu High School teacher by helping local youth follow their dreams in sport, arts, and education. Lives shaped quietly. Confidence built steadily. Futures opened.

For more details, head to our website. Charity pool bookings are released every Monday.

CommunityCare LocalCharity

22/01/2026

09/01/2026

🔥 Otago’s fire risk will rise sharply over the next few days with gale force north-westerly winds, high temperatures and low relative humidity expected across most of the region.
🔥 Don’t light any outdoor fires – that means no bonfires, campfires or burn piles.
🔥 Fires will be very challenging for firefighters to put out in gale force winds.
🔥 Sunday and Monday are likely to be particularly hot and windy. Any rain that falls before then is unlikely to reduce the risk significantly.
🔥 If you have had an outdoor fire over the last week, make sure it’s completely out. Don’t just look – rake out the ashes and wet them thoroughly if they’re not completely cold
🔥 Most of inland Otago is already in a restricted fire season, with fire permits required for outdoor fires. If you have a permit, you must follow the conditions.
🔥 Check the weather forecast and www.checkitsalright.nz for advice

Queenstown Lakes District Council Central Otago District Council Clutha District Council Waitaki District Council Dunedin City Council

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22/12/2025

19/12/2025

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Christmas