OIA20491 Grayson Appendix Three RELEASE.pdf

1982
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INFORMATION
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From: Fire and Emergency New Zealand <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 9 January 2026 2:10 pm
To: Purdy, Darryl <[email address]>
Subject: Fire and Emergency received calls for 22 incidents during today’s strike
INFORMATION
Fire and Emergency received calls for 22 incidents during today’s strike
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
--
OFFICIAL
Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 22 incidents between 12pm and 1pm today, Friday 9 January,
the eighth time the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has taken strike action.
THE
Of these, 12 incidents were in areas impacted by the strike.
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There was also a significant fire in a commercial premises in Pakuranga. Fire and Emergency were first notified of
the fire around 12.07pm.
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Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says, due to the location, it took 30 minutes for the nearest volunteer
crews to travel to the incident.
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"The nearest paid firefighter station is Mount Wellington. Following the one-hour strike they arrived on scene within
four minutes.
"This is exactly why we have repeatedly asked the NZPFU to call off these strikes while we are in the process of
facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority.
"As a career firefighter I am appalled to see the NZPFU use someone’s tragedy as a punch line.
1982
"We have previously sought to establish a process to which we can call on paid firefighters for more serious
incidents and the NZPFU has rebuffed us.
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"The NZPFU is the one gambling with the public’s safety.
"I want to thank our 11,800 volunteers across the country, and their employers, for supporting them to respond
over today’s strike hour," she says.
"I would also like to thank our Operational Commanders and Communication Centre Managers, who contributed to
the response.
INFORMATION
"We again urge the NZPFU to call off planned one-hour strikes at 12pm on 16 and 23 January."
ENDS
For more information, please contact the Fire and Emergency New Zealand media team.
OFFICIAL
[email address]
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9(2)a

Spokespeople also available in te reo.
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1982
ACT
INFORMATION
From: Reid, Mike <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, January 9, 2026 10:49:37 PM
To: McKeown, David <[email address]>; Purcell, Geoff
<[email address]>
Cc: Biggam, Lorna <[email address]>
OFFICIAL
Subject: Serious or Unusual report for 2 Cortina Place, Pakuranga
Good evening gents,
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Serious or unusual report from today’s fire.
Kind regards
Mike Reid MIAAI
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Senior Advisor Risk Reduction - Kaitohutohu Matua Whakaheke Mōrearea
Specialist Fire Investigator - Kaititiro Ahi Maatanga
Air Support Supervisor - Tautoko Kaiwhakahaere Rererangi

Counties Manukau District
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M: 9(2)a

A: 15a Lambie Drive, Papatoetoe 2104
A: PO Box 97945, Manukau City, 2241, Auckland
The Building Code is the MINIMUM standard, not the gold standard.
You lose your sense of smell while you sleep - Check your smoke alarm. Press the button. Sound the alarm. It's that easy.
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SERIOUS OR UNUSUAL INCIDENT
Region Manager’s Initial Findings Report
1982
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Report purpose
This report is intended as a brief summary for the Deputy Chief Executive Service Delivery to
brief the ELT and Fire and Emergency NZ Board of any serious or unusual incidents that
meet the approved criteria.
INCIDENT DETAILS
CAD No.
F4374653
Date  09 January 2026
Region
Te Hiku
Time  12:07 p.m.
INFORMATION
Incident Type
Building fire
Address/ Location of Incident
Pita House, 2 Cortina Place, Pakuranga.
SERIOUS INCIDENT
CRITERIA
OFFICIAL
3rd Alarm.
Media interest.
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UNUSUAL INCIDENT
CRITERIA
Significant response delay due to strike
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Report Submitted by:  SARR Michael Reid – Counties Manukau District
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FENZ Serious or Unusual Incident Report v1.0
1 of 2
10/02/2026

INCIDENT SUMMARY
Brief description of incident:
Well involved fire in Pita House Restaurant and Bakery. The shop also sold groceries and had a
butchery.
1982
Pakuranga Branch – PitaHouse LTD

IF INCIDENT IS FIRE RELATED:
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Area of origin and initial assessment of cause:
Early indications from obtained images, videos and interviews suggest the fire originated in the
vicinity of the charcoal barbeque (possibly in the extraction system) which was in the centre-
front of the shop.

The initial indicated cause of fire is Accidental.
Performance of fire detection/suppression system (including smoke alarms):
It is unclear whether working smoke alarms were installed in the building.
Performance of water supply:
INFORMATION
Operational water supply performed satisfactorily.  There were a number of hydrants available
to fire fighters fed by 150mm mains.
Performance of evacuation scheme:
There was no formal evacuation scheme at this address. The building occupants including
customers evacuated in an orderly fashion, as observed via provided footage.
Community impact:
OFFICIAL
This shop serves the local community, including a large local Muslim community. It supplied
commercial businesses with pita bread and other goods made in store.

THE
DETAIL ANY FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS THAT ARE TO BE TAKEN:
(i.e. Full fire investigation report, fire engineering report, referral to NHQ for action etc)
A fire investigation report is being compiled. Due to the robust use of an excavator to overhaul
the fire (the shop has been completely turned over), a physical scene investigation is not
possible.  UNDER

Police have concluded their investigation and have found no suspicious circumstances

This investigation is in the initial stages, however there were no indications that this was a
suspicious fire.

9(2)a

Submitted by/on behalf of:  RM: Region
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FENZ Serious or Unusual Incident Report v1.0
2 of 2
10/02/2026

From:
Stiffler, Megan
Sent:
Friday, 9 January 2026 6:52 pm
To:
9(2)a
Cc:
Gregory, Kerry; Hearn, Janine; Purdy, Darryl; Coats, Emma; Kearns, Becks
Subject:
Re: Media today after the fire
Thanks 9(2)a
1982
It was an awful day to have that happen but I thought our response was strong.
ACT
Interesting messaging in Facebook had quite a few negative comments but have a feeling many are
firefighters. Many names were recognised. We should work on a strategy on how to manage that
aspect.
Megan
Sent from my iPhone
On 9 Jan 2026, at 17:06, 9(2)a
@fireandemergency.nz>
wrote:
INFORMATION
Hi all,
I thought the media after the fire today was strong. It was good to get our message out
straight away and meant we led most of the stories. It was also strong for holding a
OFFICIAL
consistent line on the strikes over the past month. Good message on recklessness, the
request to call off strikes for safety, previously having called for a process to call in, and
fact we're in facilitation.   THE
Also good to see van Velden and Simeon Brown come out in support.
I'm on call in case any follow up over the weekend. 9(2)a has given me a heads up on the
communication to unions on next steps regarding reorganisation.
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Thanks,
9(2)a
----
9(2)a

Corporate Affairs Consultant
Fire and Eme
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9(2)a

9(2)a
@fireandemergency.nz
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From:
Stiffler, Megan
Sent:
Friday, 9 January 2026 2:57 pm
To:
Sinclair, Sarah; Pyatt, Nick; Hearn, Janine; Purdy, Darryl; Gregory, Kerry
Cc:
Kearns, Becks
Subject:
FW: Auckland fire - social media posts
For your awareness.
I’ve got TVNZ interview at 3:30pm today.
ACT 1982
Ngā mihi
Megan
Megan Sti ler
Deputy Chief Executive, Operational Response / Deputy National Commander
Tumu Whakarae Tuarua Whakahaere Urupare / Toihau a-Motu Tuarua
Mobile: 9(2)a
Email: megan.stif [email address]
INFORMATION
National Headquarters, Level 7, Spark Central, 42-52 Willis Street, PO Box 2133, Wellington, 6140
From: Media - External Affairs <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 9 January 2026 2:53 pm
To: Kearns, Becks <[email address]>; Stiffler, Megan <[email address]>;
9(2)a
@fireandemergency.nz>; Parkman, Dan <[email address]>
Cc: Media - External Affairs <[email address]>; Duncan, Amanda
<[email address]>; Hearn, Janine <[email address]>
Subject: Auckland fire - social media posts
FYI – these posts have been put out by minister Brooke van Velden and Simeon Brown about the ﬁre in
Auckland during the strike hour.
Brooke van Velden post
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1982
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INFORMATION
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Simeon Brown
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1982
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INFORMATION
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From:
Stiffler, Megan
Sent:
Friday, 9 January 2026 2:56 pm
To:
Stubbs, Bruce; Devlin, Ron; Nally, Brendan; Mosby, Brad; Cooper, Ken; Guard, David;
Kiely, Blair; Marsh, Philip
Subject:
FW: Auckland fire - social media posts
For your awareness.
1982
Ngā mihi
Megan
ACT
Megan Sti ler
Deputy Chief Executive, Operational Response / Deputy National Commander
Tumu Whakarae Tuarua Whakahaere Urupare / Toihau a-Motu Tuarua
Mobile: 9(2)a

Email: megan.stif [email address]
INFORMATION
National Headquarters, Level 7, Spark Central, 42-52 Willis Street, PO Box 2133, Wellington, 6140
From: Media - External Affairs <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 9 January 2026 2:53 pm
To: Kearns, Becks <[email address]>; Stiffler, Megan <[email address]>;
OFFICIAL
9(2)a
@fireandemergency.nz>; Parkman, Dan <[email address]>
Cc: Media - External Affairs <[email address]>; Duncan, Amanda
<[email address]>; Hearn, Janine <[email address]>
THE
Subject: Auckland fire - social media posts
FYI – these posts have been put out by minister Brooke van Velden and Simeon Brown about the ﬁre in
Auckland during the strike hour.
Brooke van Velden post
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1982
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INFORMATION
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Simeon Brown
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1982
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INFORMATION
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From:
Stiffler, Megan
Sent:
Friday, 9 January 2026 2:51 pm
To:
9(2)a

1982
; Beachlands Volunteers; Clevedon Volunteers; Laingholm Volunteers;
Patumahoe Volunteers; Waitakere Volunteers; Pokeno Volunteers; Pukekohe
Volunteers; Waiuku Volunteers; Silverdale Station - Volunteer Officers ACT
Cc:
Gregory, Kerry; Travers, Gavin; Devlin, Ron; Purcell, Geoff
Subject:
Thank you
Kia ora koutou
I wanted to acknowledge your contribution in our response to the restaurant in Pakuranga today.
Firstly, to our ComCentre leaders who sat on the phones/radios – I imaging the phones were hot and I
believe every call was answered with no dropouts.  Well done. INFORMATION
To Dave McKeown as the Incident Controller – what a stellar job you did, protecting members of the
community, providing sit reps and best preparing the site for when our volunteers arrived.  Thanks to
Geo  and 9(2)a for backing you up.
To our volunteer crew members – you were available to assist community – thank you. I know it must
have been a frustrating drive, knowing how far away you were – but you still turned out.
OFFICIAL
I don’t have a deﬁnitive list of our volunteers who attended … so I’ve included as many as possible.  If
I’ve missed anyone, please make sure you forward.  I know some appliances were stood down
enroute, but you still contributed. THE
We are doing everything possible to avoid the strike actions, we are proactively in facilitated
bargaining, we keep asking for the NZPFU to hold strike action whilst that is happening to avoid these
situations.  Please trust we are doing everything we can to avoid situations like you experienced
today.
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Once again, your e orts are recognised and appreciated.
Ngā mihi
Megan
Megan Sti ler
Deputy Chief Executive, Operational Response / Deputy National Commander
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Tumu Whakarae Tuarua Whakahaere Urupare / Toihau a-Motu Tuarua
Mobile: 9(2)a

Email: megan.stif [email address]
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National Headquarters, Level 7, Spark Central, 42-52 Willis Street, PO Box 2133, Wellington, 6140
1982
ACT
INFORMATION
OFFICIAL
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From:
Stiffler, Megan
Sent:
Friday, 9 January 2026 2:10 pm
To:
Richards, Mark (Comcen)
Subject:
Attending Volunteers and Officers at the Pita restaurant
Mark
1982
Can you get me a list of every volunteer and senior o icers (Ops and Comms) who took calls or
attended that job please. I want to email and acknowledge them.
ACT
Ngā mihi
Megan
Megan Sti ler
Deputy Chief Executive, Operational Response / Deputy National Commander
Tumu Whakarae Tuarua Whakahaere Urupare / Toihau a-Motu Tuarua
Mobile: 9(2)a

Email: megan.stif [email address]
INFORMATION
National Headquarters, Level 7, Spark Central, 42-52 Willis Street, PO Box 2133, Wellington, 6140
OFFICIAL
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From:
Stiffler, Megan
Sent:
Friday, 9 January 2026 1:50 pm
To:
9(2)a
Cc:
Media - External Affairs
Subject:
RE: Post strike PR
I prefer career ﬁreﬁghter rather than lifelong … 9(2)a

1982
Approved once corrected below.
ACT
Ngā mihi
Megan
Megan Sti ler
Deputy Chief Executive, Operational Response / Deputy National Commander
Tumu Whakarae Tuarua Whakahaere Urupare / Toihau a-Motu Tuarua
Mobile: 9(2)a

Email: megan.stif [email address]
INFORMATION
National Headquarters, Level 7, Spark Central, 42-52 Willis Street, PO Box 2133, Wellington, 6140
From:
OFFICIAL
9(2)a
@fireandemergency.nz>
Sent: Friday, 9 January 2026 1:46 pm
To: Stiffler, Megan <[email address]>
Cc: Media - External Affairs <[email address]>
THE
Subject: Post strike PR
Hi Megan,
PR for your approval please.
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Fire and Emergency received calls for 22 incidents during today’s strike
Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 22 incidents between 12pm and 1pm today, Friday 9
January, the eighth time the New Zealand Professional Fireﬁghters Union (NZPFU) has taken strike action.
Of these, 12 incidents were in areas impacted by the strike.
Of these ﬁve were ﬁre alarms that did not result in a ﬁre. There were three notiﬁcations of ﬁre by members of
the public that did not result in a ﬁre and one request from police for assistance which did not require our
attendance.
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One was a small shed ﬁre that was extinguished by the owner, before volunteer crews arrived to ensure the ﬁre
was out. We were also notiﬁed of a burn pile that was being safely managed by the landowner.
There was also a signiﬁcant ﬁre in a commercial premises in Pakuranga. Fire and Emergency were ﬁrst notiﬁed
of the ﬁre around 12.07pm.
Deputy National Commander Megan Sti ler says due to the location, it took 30 minutes for the nearest
volunteer crews to travel to the incident.
33

“The nearest paid ﬁreﬁghter station is Mount Wellington. Following the one-hour strike they arrived on scene
within four minutes.
“This is exactly why we have repeatedly asked the NZPFU to call o  these strikes while we are in the process of
facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority.
“As a lifelong career ﬁreﬁghter I am appalled to see the NZPFU use someone’s tragedy as a punch line.
“We have previously sought to establish a process to which we can call on paid ﬁreﬁghters for more serious
incidents and the NZPFU has rebu ed us.”
“The NZPFU is the one gambling with the public’s safety.”
"I want to thank our 11,800 volunteers across the country, and their employers, for supporting them to respond
over today’s strike hour," she says.
"I would also like to thank our Operational Commanders and Communication Centre Managers, who
1982
contributed to the response.
"We again urge the NZPFU to call o  planned one-hour strikes at 12pm on 16 and 23 January.
ENDS
ACT

Thanks,

9(2)a

Senior Media Advisor | Kaitohutohu Matua Pāpāho

National Headquarters
Level 7 42-52 Willis Street
Wellington Central
Wellington 6011

Mob: 9(2)a

INFORMATION

www.ﬁreandemergency.nz
OFFICIAL

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