WorkSafe investigation into Muriwai tragedy

Following the deaths of Dave van Zwanenberg and Craig Stevens last February, WorkSafe investigated this tragedy under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

We have been advised that WorkSafe will not be taking enforcement action against Fire and Emergency New Zealand. We will be working with WorkSafe to go through their investigation and decision-making process. 

In July 2023, we released our independent investigation into this tragedy. The recommendations from this investigation focused on raising people’s awareness and knowledge of hazards, like landslides, and reviewing aspects of our critical risk management programme such as the Safe Person Concept. Several actions have been completed to respond to the recommendations and others are underway. 

We are a close whānau at Fire and Emergency and this event continues to be a tragic reminder of the risks you all can be exposed to everyday. Dave and Craig’s service to their community during the most challenging conditions will not be forgotten and the lessons we take from this will shape our organisation moving forward. 

Many of our people have been impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and the tragedy in Muriwai. Please do not hesitate to seek support by checking out the resources available on the Portal or talking to your region’s Wellbeing Advisors. Wellbeing information is on the Portal.