National Headquarters
Level 12
80 The Terrace
PO Box 2133
Wel ington
New Zealand
Phone +64 4 496 3600
8 April 2022
Alan Thompson
By email: [FYI request #18846 email]
Dear Alan
Information Request – Waiharara Fire costs
I refer to your official information request dated 11 March 2022 asking for the following
information
:
The Waiharara Fire (near Kaimaumau in Northland) started on Dec 18th 2021 with
firefighting efforts extending over some 6 weeks.
Under the provisions of the Official Information Act I request a detailed breakdown of the
costs that FENZ incurred in control ing and suppressing the Waiharara Fire.
In accordance with the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982, I have set out below the
information you requested. The table shows the invoiced costs to 22 March 2022 for the fire. It is
possible that total costs may increase as additional invoices are received. Please note that the
invoices represent the additional cost we incur beyond our fixed cost of maintaining a response
capability.
F3383177 - Norton Rd Waiharara 18/12/21
Hire of Aerial Services
$ 4,477,619
External Firefighting Services
$ 1,221,641
Employee payments
$ 335,293
Volunteer payments
$ 237,547
Plant & Equipment Hire - Operational
$ 220,494
Occupancy
$ 140,625
Foam
$ 134,028
Travel & Accommodation & Meals
$ 78,516
Other supplies
$ 62,208
Fuel
$ 24,535
Incident catering
$ 21,921
Laundry costs
$ 19,606
Operational Equipment <$1000
$ 17,090
Freight charges
$ 8,695
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
$ 7,513
Computer & communications equipment costs
$ 6,357
Other supplies
$ 4,019
Printing and Stationery
$ 1,843
Consultants
$ 1,500
Fleet repairs and maintenance
$ 1,107
Miscellaneous costs
$ 1,075
Grand Total
$ 7,023,231
The list below details the types of goods and services that make up some of the payments in the
table.
• Employee payments may include payments for overtime and travel reimbursements.
• Volunteer payments may include reimbursements for mileage, parking, petrol, travel costs or
meals.
• Consultants may include engineering services and weather information.
• Occupancy may include rental of property, security, cleaning and waste removal.
• External firefighting services are those resources that are not owned or, in the case of people,
are not employed by Fire and Emergency. They may include forestry company or Department
of Conservation personnel, and operators of heavy equipment such as diggers, bul dozers, and
water tankers.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Nicky Chilton
Director, Office of the Chief Executive