Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti officially opened two new fire stations in Counties Manukau last Saturday, 17 April. 

Pōkeno Fire Station is a $2.69 million new build which replaces the Pōkeno Volunteer Fire Brigade’s old station at Mercer. 

The station has been purpose built to meet operational requirements and functional areas, including a large appliance bay, locker room, training/social room, canteen and kitchen, meeting room and office, separate male and female ablutions and accessible shower, and breathing apparatus wash area. 

The new station also includes several health and safety features: an onsite laundry, an exhaust extraction system to remove vehicle exhaust fumes from the air, and the use of higher grade materials, such as concrete and steel, to strengthen the building.

 Kawakawa Bay Fire Station is a $1.18 million refurbishment to meet seismic standards and provide modern facilities. 

The original station was opened in 1974 by what was then the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board to serve the local and surrounding communities as, at that time, the closest brigade was Papakura which is 35 kms away. 

1974 was a long time ago and the community has grown since then; the roads carry a lot more traffic due to the Kawakawa boat ramp being the busiest in New Zealand along with the opening of two regional parks in the area. 

The refurbishment provides separate male and female ablutions along with an accessible shower and toilet, an office to hold meetings with some privacy as the old office could only fit two people, refurbished appliance bay, locker bay, lecture room and kitchen. 

Kawakawa Bay station also now has the same new health and safety features as Pōkeno. 

Minister Tinetti said both Pōkeno and Kawakawa Volunteer Fire Brigades serve populations which have grown significantly over the years along with their communities’ needs. 

“Their new state-of-the-art fire stations are examples of the Government’s commitment to ensure Fire and Emergency New Zealand has the right resources in the right places to continue serving our changing communities. 

“The Government has contributed over $50 million from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to enable Fire and Emergency New Zealand to rebuild or upgrade 26 fire stations earlier than anticipated. 

“These new stations will be huge assets to both communities for many years to come.” 

The events were also attended by Fire and Emergency Board chair, Paul Swain, Labour List MP for Papakura, Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki, Allan Sanson, Mayor, Waikato District Council, Fire and Emergency National Commander, Kerry Gregory, Fire and Emergency Te Hiku Region Manager, Ron Devlin, and, at Kawakawa Bay, Auckland Mayor, Hon Phil Goff.

 

 

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