National Headquarters
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
National Headquarters
Spark Central, Level 7
42-52 Wil is Street
Wel ington Central
Wel ington 6011
Phone +64 4 496 3600
21 August 2025
Ref: 18498
Alan Thompson
[FYI request #31410 email]
Tēnā koe Alan
Thank you for your request of 26 June 2025 to Fire and Emergency New Zealand requesting
information regarding international deployments under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
We copy and respond to your questions below.
1. Was NZ invited to provide wildfire fighting personnel to be included in the June 2025
deployment to Alberta? If so, how many personnel and at which level were requested?
On 30 May 2025 New Zealand was invited by the Australian and New Zealand Council for fire and
emergency services (AFAC) to provide personnel for deployment to Canada. The initial request
sought International Liaison Officers, Fire Ground Management roles and Type 1 Crews (arduous
fitness, trained and experienced to operate remotely in tall timbered, mountainous terrain).
2. If NZ received a request for personnel:
a) Why were NZ fire fighters not included in the Aus/NZ deployment to Alberta?
The National Resource Sharing Centre (NRSC) leads the coordinated approach between Australia
and New Zealand to support international partner requests for assistance. In this case the rotation
was filled by Australian states and territories.
b) Was the invitation to deploy personnel to Alberta extended to Department of
Conservation and Forest Owner as FENZ’s partners in rural fire?
Yes, as part of the pre-deployment planning the invitation was extended to both DOC and the FOA.
c) Were DOC and Forest Owners consulted in any decision not to deploy NZ firefighters?
The NRSC makes the final decision on deployment makeup. Fire and Emergency partner agencies
were advised on 9 June 2025 of the decision.
3. Please provide copies of all of the emails and other documentation pertaining to any
request to NZ for personnel to deploy to Canada invitation including:
a) Any discussion with or advice given to Australia on such a request, discussion with
Australia on a NZ response and any decision not to offer assistance from FENZ, DOC
or Forest Owners.
b) Notices to FENZ staff or working groups on the request and/or deployment; and
c) Any communications with DOC and/or Forest Owners on the request and any decision
not to offer FENZ resources.
Please find attached, as
Appendix One to this response, a copy of the requested information.
Some information has been withheld under the following:
• section 9(2)(a) of the OIA, to protect the privacy of natural persons
• section 9(2)(c) of the OIA, to avoid prejudice to measures protecting the health or safety of
members of the public; and
• section 9(2)(g)(i) of the OIA, to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the
free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or
members of an organisation or officers and employees of any public service agency or
organisation in the course of their duty.
In making this decision, we have considered the public interest considerations in section 9(1) of
the OIA. Some information has also been withheld because it is out of scope of your request.
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.
We trust that the information being provided is of assistance. If you require further information,
please email [FENZ request email]
Nāku noa, nā
Aidan Saunders
Manager, Information Requests
