National Headquarters
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
National Headquarters
Spark Central, Level 7
42-52 Willis Street
Wel ington Central
Wel ington 6011
Phone +64 4 496 3600
31 October 2023
Harwood Wilson
By email: [FYI request #24325 email]
Tēnā koe Harwood
Information Request – Chatham Island Fleet
Thank you for your information request dated 3 October 2023 asking a number of questions about
the Fire and Emergency fleet in Chatham Island. In accordance with the provisions of the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA), we answer each aspect of your question below.
1. What plans are there to replace the fleet on the Chatham Island? especially the #1 pump
which is now 39 years old.
Currently Fire and Emergency intends to replace the #1 appliance with a Type 2 appliance and the
#2 appliance by a twin cab medium rural appliance, which reflects the most up to date thinking on
what is suited to the region. However, more discussions need to be had before firm plans are
made to implement these changes.
2. What contingency plans do FENZ have as a backup if the #1 pump is out of service, what
vehicle of similar adequate capability will replace it?
We have a total of two appliances, two utes, and a trailer on the island. If the #1 pump was out of
service, we would use a combination of those resource to best meet the requirements of any
incident until it is back in service.
If the #1 appliance was unable to be in service for a significant length of time, we would consider
sending a replacement appliance to Chatham Island. What replacement we send would depend on
the availability within the fleet.
3. Do FENZ consider that due to the major isolation of this fleet and station, that vehicles here
should be kept within the "target" retirement age?
We look to keep al vehicles in our fleet within the target replacement age but doing so depends
on budget and resource availability. We ensure that all our fleet are maintained in a safe and
reliable state.
4. Does FENZ consider the fleet type appropriate to the area and isolation? i.e. should a tanker or
an upgrade from the PRT #7 ultralight be needed?
We do consider the current fleet type to be appropriate and it has proven to meet the
community’s needs to date. With the range of appliances available now, we are suggesting a
different arrangement in the future that wil better meet the community’s future needs.
5. Have the Chatham Island Brigade made any requests for fleet changes / upgrades in the last 5
years? if so please provide that correspondence
The brigade has had conversations with their Group Manager about upgrading the fleet, and these
conversations have informed our current replacement plans. There is no documented
correspondence where a request for fleet changes or upgrades has been made by the brigade in
the last five years.
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 a
t www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa nā
Ethan Fett
Acting Manager Information Requests
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