Firefighters strike nationwide over pay and safety disputes

Friday 17 October 2025 · 4 outlets · 5 reports · updated Fri 17 Oct 2025, 4:41pm

In this story Fire and Emergency New Zealand, New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union

Approximately 2,000 union members participated in a one-hour strike on Friday following stalled negotiations with Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Protests occurred in locations including Tauranga, Rotorua, Kawerau, and Hamilton. The union is seeking better pay, staffing, and equipment, while FENZ claims the action puts the public at risk.

How they headlined it

1:15pm2:59pm3:54pm4:41pm

1. NZ HeraldFri 17 Oct 2025, 1:15pm

   Firefighters strike in Tauranga and Rotorua for better pay and staffing (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsFri 17 Oct 2025, 2:59pm

   Eighteen calls to Fire and Emergency NZ during one-hour strike (opens in new tab)

   • Eighteen calls to FENZ during one-hour strike (opens in new tab) Fri 17 Oct 2025, 2:59pm
3. Waikato TimesFri 17 Oct 2025, 3:54pm

   ‘We can’t do our job safely’: firefighters take to the streets (opens in new tab)

4. RNZFri 17 Oct 2025, 4:41pm

   Firefighters go on strike in pay and staffing dispute with FENZ (opens in new tab)