Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade

24/08/2026

Investigations are underway to establish the cause of Saturday night’s vegetation fire in Albert Town, and we’re looking for some help from people living nearby or who were in the area at the time.

It’s too soon to say if the circumstances are suspicious – at this stage our investigators are working to confirm where and how the fire started.

Here’s how you can help: Email the fire investigation team [email protected]
• If you were in the area shortly before 7.30pm when the fire was reported, and you saw anything that may be relevant
• If you have photos or video from the early stages of the fire – especially anything taken around the lagoon end of the reserve south of Lagoon Avenue, between 7.15pm and 7.45pm.

Information will be treated in confidence.

You can also PM us on this page.

Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade Queenstown Lakes District Council

05/07/2026

Snow - whether you love it or hate it, here are some tips to stay safe if the power goes out at your place.

Torches are safer than candles. If you don’t have access to torches, or they run out of battery, take care to use candles safely:
• Always place them on a heat-resistant surface and firmly in a holder.
• Keep them away from anything that could catch fire like curtains, furniture or clothing.
• Keep them out of the reach of children and pets.
• Put them out before you leave a room and before you go to bed.

Prepare for your power coming back on by making sure all light switches, power outlets and cooking appliances are switched off.

Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Station Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade Lake Hawea Volunteer Fire Brigade Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade Middlemarch Volunteer Fire Brigade Ranfurly Volunteer Fire Brigade

02/07/2026

🚒 April–June 2026 Call Statistics

Over the past three months, our volunteers responded to 66 emergency callouts across the Wanaka community.

Here's a snapshot of what kept our crews busy:
🔥 17 Miscellaneous Fires
🚗 16 Motor Vehicle Accidents
🚨 16 Alarm Activations
🏠 9 Structure Fires
🚑 6 Medical Responses
🌲 1 Vegetation Fire
🛟 1 Rescue

30/05/2026

🚒🗼 Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade Sky Tower Challenge 2026 🗼🚒

What an incredible result for our team this year!
Thanks to the amazing support of our community, sponsors, friends, family, and everyone who donated, the Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade Sky Tower Team raised a final total of $14,735 for Blood Cancer NZ

In the 2–5 person team fundraising category, we were proud to finish 3rd overall, just $100 behind the Fairlie Volunteer Fire Brigade team who placed second. A huge congratulations to them on a fantastic fundraising effort!

Our team also put in some outstanding performances on the day:

🔥 Myah Richards – 19:07
Female Open 16–31 Donned Category
Placed 15th out of 51

🔥 Ethan French – 16:12
Male Open 16–31 Donned Category
Placed 24th out of 73

🔥 Alex Horsington – 16:21
Male Open 16–39 Donned and Started Category
Placed 132nd out of 322

🔥 Luke Howat – 11:32
Male Open 16–39 Donned and Started Category
Placed 4th out of 322

We couldn't have achieved any of this without the incredible support from our Wanaka community. Every donation, sponsorship, and words of encouragement helped us get to where we are today, and we are incredibly grateful.

From all of us on the Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade Sky Tower Team, thank you for helping us make a difference and supporting such an important cause.
We're already looking forward to the next challenge...
Bring on next year! 💪🚒

24/05/2026

What an incredible result 🔥

As a brigade, we raised an amazing $14,734, contributing towards an unbelievable event total of $2,477,370.20 — the highest amount ever raised for the challenge!

To top it off, we were proud to place 3rd in the 2–5 person team fundraising category 🥉

We honestly couldn’t have done this without the generosity and support from our community, friends, family, and local businesses. Every donation and message of support helped push us through every step.

From all of us in the Wanaka Sky Tower team — thank you for backing us and helping make a difference 🚒

19/05/2026

Only 4 days to go until the Sky Tower Challenge! 🔥🧗‍♂️

We are proud to announce we’ve now raised an incredible $13,750 for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand ❤️

A massive thank you to everyone who has sponsored, donated, supported, and backed our team along the way. Your generosity means the world to us and helps make a real difference for Kiwi families facing blood cancer.

We’re looking forward to taking on the 1,103 steps of the Sky Tower and representing Wanaka!

Thanks again from
FF Luke Howat
SFF Ethan French
QFF Myah Richards
FF Alex Horsington

22/04/2026

To the employers who stand behind our volunteer firefighters—thank you.
When the call comes in, your employees don’t hesitate. They leave meetings, job sites, and daily responsibilities to serve their communities in moments of urgency. And behind that selfless act is your understanding, flexibility, and support.
Your support doesn’t go unnoticed. It makes a real, lasting difference.
Thank you for being an essential part of the team.
🚒

02/04/2026

01/04/2026

🚨January-March Call Update🚨

Here's a summary of the calls we have attended so far in 2026.

🔥 12 miscellaneous fires 🏠 10 structure fires 🚗 23 motor vehicle accidents 🚨 10 alarm activations 🚑 6 medical assists 🌿 2 vegetation fires ⚠️ 2 hazardous incidents

With daylight savings this weekend, this is a friendly reminder to please check your smoke alarms!