National Headquarters
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
National Headquarters
Spark Central, Level 7
42-52 Willis Street
Wellington Central
Wellington 6011
Phone +64 4 496 3600
22 June 2026
Ref: 21911
D Greenhalgh
FYI website
[FYI request #34784 email]
Tēnā koe D
Thank you for your request of 26 May 2026 to Fire and Emergency New Zealand requesting the
following information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA):
•
“I would like to request a list of ranks and insignia in use by the NZFS from its formation in
1976 up until its dissolution in 2017. Please may this list include if possible the timeframe in
which specific ranks were used, their insignia (both epaulettes and helmet markings), and
what preceded/succeeded them. I understand these are historical documents, so if records
are no longer held, please direct me to an authority that holds this information if one
exists.”
We have conducted a search for the requested information and can confirm that we are unable to
locate the rank and insignia schedule used by the former New Zealand Fire Service between 1976
– 2008. For this reason, this aspect of you request is refused under section 18(e) of the OIA, as the
document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist or, despite reasonable
efforts to locate it, cannot be found.
However, we can provide the rank and insignia schedule for the years 2009 – 2017 and please find
a copy attached as the
Appendix to this response. Please note, the way the information has been
recorded does not separate each rank and their insignia by the time period they were used.
You may be able to find some of the requested information at brigade museums or historical
societies.
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
