Conference clash prompts review of wildfire readiness

Levy changes and rising risks drive capability assessment. A cancelled panel at a Christchurch rural and forest firefighting conference has brought to light wider debate over wildfire strategy, funding, and capability in New Zealand.

The discussion – planned for last month’s event – was set to focus on the cost and role of aerial firefighting, including the growth in Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s helicopter suppression bill, now above $7 million annually.

RNZ reported that Alan Thompson, a long-time rural firefighting specialist, said the panel aimed to examine how suppression resources are deployed and funded. He claimed the session was cancelled after Fire and Emergency New Zealand signalled it did not want it to proceed.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand rejected this, saying the decision was made by the conference organisers.