The Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017 (the Act), which
came into force earlier this year, has the potential to have
significant financial implications for commercial property owners,
and their tenants.
The Act replaces the Fire Services Act 1975 and the Forrest
& Rural Fire Act 1975. It has been designed to ensure NZ has a
modern, fit for purpose, and well funded fire service that
addresses long standing issues such as under funding of rural
fire.
The Act established Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) on 1
July 2017, bringing together around 40 urban and rural fire
fighting services to deliver one comprehensive national emergency
service.
However, under new funding structures proposed in the Act, the
commercial property sector looks set to contribute more than its
share of FENZ's funding requirements.
