New Fire and Emergency Board Chair announced

Rebecca Keoghan

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Jan Tinetti has announced that Rebecca Keoghan is Fire and Emergency’s new Board Chair(external link).

Rebecca has been Fire and Emergency’s Deputy Chair since June 2019. She replaces Hon. Paul Swain who served two terms in the role.

The Minister also announced the reappointment of Board members Wendie Harvey and Malcolm Inglis and acknowledged Te Arohanui Cook who is leaving the Board after completing two terms.

Rebecca says, “I am honoured and humbled to be appointed Chair of the Fire and Emergency Board and to follow in the distinguished footsteps of the Hon Paul Swain.

I’m passionate and excited about leading the people of Fire and Emergency – I have huge admiration for the countless and selfless hours our people give to keep our communities and New Zealand safe. 

 A massive thank you to the Hon Paul Swain for his extensive leadership as the outgoing Chair, for his deep institutional knowledge and passion for relationship management as he has led the Fire and Emergency waka throughout the past nine years.”

Rebecca has significant governance experience and is currently Chair of Tai Poutini Polytechnic, Deputy Chair of Timaru District Holdings Ltd and a member of the Judicial Control Authority Board. She has particular expertise in the areas of health and safety, risk management and culture change. Rebecca was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and named the 2016 Dairy Woman of the Year.

Rebecca follows in the footsteps of several female Board Chairs prior to Fire and Emergency’s formation, including Dame Margaret Bazley, who was Chair of the New Zealand Fire Service Commission from 1998 to 2011.

A separate appointment process is currently underway to fill the remaining two Board positions, and the Minister has indicated appointments should be announced by late August this year.