28/05/2026
In April 2026, the UFBA, alongside the New Zealand Fire Brigades' Institute Inc and the Institution of Fire Engineers New Zealand Branch, submitted a joint paper to Parliament’s Governance and Administration Select Committee informing their public inquiry about FENZ fleet management.
Yesterday, the submission was spoken to at the Select Committee meeting by UFBA CE, Bill Butzbach and President of the IFE New Zealand Branch, Scott Lanauze.
Our message is clear: New Zealand needs a modern, reliable, fit-for-purpose emergency response fleet that reflects today’s risks and tomorrow’s challenges.
The submission highlighted concerns around appliance reliability, delays in getting vehicles operational, and the condition of parts of the relief fleet - while recognising the opportunity for a broader rethink of how fleet is planned, procured and managed, and importantly, that fleet decisions must reflect community risk and operational need.
The submission calls for:
🚒 Risk-based fleet planning
🚒 Better long-term replacement and maintenance strategies
🚒 Stronger governance and accountability
🚒 Improved operational readiness
🚒 A future-focused approach to climate, urban growth, and all-hazards response
The UFBA, NZFBI and IFE NZ Branch are committed to working alongside FENZ and stakeholders, as trusted sector experts, to help shape a fleet system that keeps firefighter's safe and communities protected.
You can view the full submission on our website and there is a link to the Select Committee live stream recording 👉 https://www.ufba.org.nz/news/submission-fenz-fleet-management