FENZ Vetting Policy – Self-disclosure amnesty
In late 2025, FENZ consulted on the new FENZ Vetting Policy, which came into effect on 3 November.
This policy applies to all Fire and Emergency people, including all employees, volunteers, contractors/consultants, and people seconded to Fire and Emergency from other organisations. The purpose of this policy is to help keep FENZ people safe, build a trusted and positive environment, help maintain community confidence and trust in Fire and Emergency, meet obligations under the FENZ Code of Conduct, and maintain the standards required in their employment, volunteering, contracting, or consulting relationship with Fire and Emergency.
The next phase will come into effect on Monday 9 February 2026, for those who meet “event-based requirements” – being employees or volunteers appointed or seconded for a period of three months or more, into a people leader role, or a role that has a broad span of influence or has access to sensitive or confidential information.
At the same time, an amnesty for self-disclosures begins for personnel in Tier 1-4 roles, Group Managers, Volunteer Brigade Leaders, and Ahikura Practitioners, before the start of 10-year re-vetting for this group mid-2026.
Anyone who self-discloses a previous criminal conviction during this timeframe won’t face disciplinary action for non-disclosure.
While all Fire and Emergency personnel have an obligation to disclose criminal charges and/or criminal convictions, as detailed in FENZ’s Code of Conduct, they are giving people an opportunity to do the right thing while the Vetting Policy is being introduced.
Not all convictions will be a barrier to working or volunteering for Fire and Emergency and they will assess any convictions or charges not considered in previous vetting to see if further action is needed, using the process set out in the - https://portal.fireandemergency.nz/how-do-i/conduct-and-performance/vetting-policy-and-processes/
The amnesty will be in place from 9 February 2026 until 9 May 2026.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please get in touch with the team via email at Eketaumata@fireandemergency.nz.
If you feel you need advice or support from the UFBA, please email connect@ufba.org.nz