Launch of Strategic Implementation Programme

Today marks the launch of our Strategic Implementation Programme (SIP), the next step in turning our Strategic Direction 2025–2030 into action, which comes into effect on 1 July.

Implementing our strategy means changing how we operate as an organisation. When Fire and Emergency was formed in 2017, it was to help us better respond to the needs of our communities, the impacts of climate change, unexpected major events like the pandemic, and an evolving economy. That need to adapt remains just as important today.

As we developed our new Strategic Direction, we took a hard look at ourselves. What’s working? What’s not? And are we delivering in the best way we can for the people of Aotearoa, New Zealand?

A five-year roadmap to guide this change.

Over the next five years the Strategic Implementation Programme will allow our organisation to move forward and make some honest, and sometimes tough, decisions. Like every household feeling the pressure of rising costs, we also need to reassess how and where we spend our money. Some things we’ll need to stop doing, some we’ll need to delay, and others we’ll need to do differently. Our current model isn’t sustainable, so we must focus on being able to deliver on what matters most: serving communities together, fewer unwanted fires and reduced harm to people, property, and the environment.

We know our communities place deep trust in us. That includes trusting that we’re using our resources wisely. This programme is about honouring that trust, by making smart, responsible decisions to stay financially sustainable and ready to serve, now and in the years ahead.

What you can do today.

While no specific details are being released today, it’s important you understand the reasons behind any up-coming changes. The hope is that when we need to engage you further, you’ll have the context for why this work needs to happen.

• View the Strategic Implementation Programme Portal page.

We’ve created this dedicated Strategic Implementation Programme Portal page, which we’ll keep updated regularly. This page will be the “one source of truth” for all updates. Right now, you can find background information on why this work is needed, including details about the reduction in our levy funding and the need to mitigate this risk so we can reinvest in areas that matter most.

• Register for the CE Town Hall webinar - 1 July

It's important you're involved and can get your questions answered. That’s why we’re launching a monthly 30-minute CE Town Hall, hosted on Microsoft Teams.

Each session will give you:
- Key updates on the Strategic Implementation Programme,
- A chance to hear directly from the Chief Executive or one of our Deputy Chief Executives,
- An opportunity to pre-submit questions via the below form.

If you can’t make it on the day, a recording and Q&A summary will be posted on the Strategic Implementation Programme Portal page afterwards.

Have a question?

Find out more about having your questions answered and submit yours here(external link).