Waikato River.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) is being accused of putting lives at risk on Waikato River after it announced a ban on fire stations from using powered watercraft.
Mike Pettit
Mayors Mike Petitt (Waipā) Aksel Bech (Waikato) and Tim Macindoe (Hamilton) have written to Fenz chief executive Kerry Gregory urging a rethink on the ban on firefighters using a rescue boat and jet skis on the Waikato River.
“The Waikato River is a lifeline for many communities – culturally, recreationally, and economically,” the letter from the three mayors said.
“The ability to respond to emergencies on the river is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The community has invested heavily in this capability, including over $42,000 raised locally for rescue equipment. The expectation is that Fenz will honour its duty to protect life, not retreat from it.”
Aksel Bech
Huntly Fire Station, which has operated a rescue boat since 1998, and Ngāruawāhia Fire Station, which has operated two rescue jet skis since 2018, were told to cease in May. They have been involved in 81 rescues on the river since 2019.
The ban was implemented, Fenz deputy chief executive Megan Stiffler said, after Maritime New Zealand said it was operating outside of maritime rules
“Put bluntly, the two local brigades have taken all appropriate steps and appear to be fully compliant – and have successfully completed many potentially lifesaving rescues,” the mayors said.
“It is Fenz that has taken the decision that it itself is not compliant and have instructed the brigades not to respond, leaving no alternatives in place.
Tim Macindoe
“The Fenz claim that others will respond to a swift water rescue is not consistent with our local knowledge; Police are equipped for recovery, not rescue operations in the timeframes required. Coastguard and Surf lifesaving do not have jurisdiction or any ability to respond. The Harbour Master is not equipped to respond nor is LandSar.
“By Fenz standing down these two well equipped, trained and certified brigades with proven incident-free track records, Fenz is in our view putting lives at risk.”
The News has sought comment from Fenz and Maritime New Zealand.
