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'Couldn't believe it': Outrage as Fire and Emergency NZ board members get pay rises

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 1 Apr 2026, 4:43pm
Photo / Michael Craig
Photo / Michael Craig

'Couldn't believe it': Outrage as Fire and Emergency NZ board members get pay rises

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 1 Apr 2026, 4:43pm

It's been confirmed Fire and Emergency’s board members are getting pay rises of up to 79 percent amid prolonged industrial action.

A departmental briefing recommended Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden approve large increases to board pay packets in December.

NZ Firefighters Union national secretary Wattie Watson has voiced outrage with this move, as strike action is set to continue.

"It's outrageous when we have our three lowest ranks barely getting paid minimum wage, they're not even getting paid the living wage 

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