News from our CE: Consultation date announced & Portal page live

Head to Consultation Portal Page here. 

Tēnā koe,

I want to let you know that consultation on the second phase of our structural change will open at 4pm Wednesday 12 November and close 4pm Wednesday 26 November. This gives you time to review the proposals and share your feedback.

You’ll remember that phase one took place earlier this year, and your feedback from that consultation helped shape the first phase of aligning the functions of the organisation. Since the stand up of that phase on 22 September, we have been focused on identifying what changes are needed to position us to become the organisation we aspire to be by 2030.

We can’t keep doing everything for everybody, and that’s not a bad thing. Our people are carrying a heavy workload, and our new Strategic Direction allows us to focus our energy and resources on what matters most. By acting now and taking a five-year view, we’re positioning Fire and Emergency to keep delivering for our communities well into the future.

On Wednesday 12 November, I’ll share the consultation document containing a proposal with sections for each branch and the CE Support & Organisational Assurance Team. A lot of careful thought has gone into this work to ensure our functions have the right resources in the right places. This will be a consultation document - not final decisions.

Your feedback through the consultation process is vital to getting this right. We know that the people closest to the work often have the best insights, and this consultation is a genuine opportunity to shape the outcome. When released, please take the time to read the proposal carefully and share your views. 

Timeline

To reach our new structure, we will go through the following stages of the change process.

Decisions from consultation are intended to be made on Wednesday 17 December, and while I recognise there’s no good time to make the kind of changes being proposed, our intent is for you to go into the Christmas period with as much certainty as possible. That means, ensuring that decisions can be made to give our people certainty before we close out the year.  

It’s also important to note that no changes to our structure will come into effect until the new year. This includes the disestablishment and establishment of any positions.   

Change Team for support 

The Change Team is here to support everyone through this process, with a particular focus on people leaders and those directly affected or impacted by the proposals. They’ll provide guidance, resources, and one-on-one support to help navigate the changes and ensure everyone has what they need throughout the change process, and they can be contacted directly here: SIPChange@fireandemergency.nz 

Consultation Portal page live

This dedicated Consultation Portal page has been published with FAQs to help with some myth busting and give you one source of truth before the document is shared.

These FAQs will be updated regularly and if you feel a question is missing or have your own query you can contact the Change Team: SIPChange@fireandemergency.nz 

CE Town Hall – 4 November 

Our next CE Town Hall takes place on Tuesday 4 November, the week before the consultation document goes live. I’ve received feedback suggesting that these sessions should be aligned more closely with key announcements however the purpose of our Town Halls has always been to keep you informed and answer your submitted questions - rather than serve as the first channel for big announcements. 

The changes being proposed are significant, so it’s important that everyone understands why they are needed. I encourage you to sign up for the CE Town Hall, where I will explain why these changes are being proposed across our organisation, outline our vision for the future of Fire and Emergency, and discuss the support that will be available throughout the process.  

I know sharing the consultation date before the detail may make some of you feel uneasy or anxious about what’s to come, but I want to be transparent, sharing what I know when I know it. This early notice allows the Change Team to start supporting people leaders with guidance, and tools to help them support their people. These will be shared in the coming days.  

Finally, I want to acknowledge that while some people feel positive about change, others may find it unsettling, especially when many details are still to come. Please look out for one another and keep our values at the centre of how we work together. Let’s stay connected, listen well, and support each other as we move into this next phase. We must continue to show care, professionalism, and heart during times like this, it does make a difference. 
 

Ngā mihi, 

Kerry Gregory

Chief Executive