New Zealand has passed legislation to temporarily continue an insurance-based levy that funds fire and emergency services while a review of the arrangements takes place.

The legislation extends transitional levy provisions to July 2024, while allowing the date to be brought forward as needed to implement a new funding regime.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) was formed in 2017 through the amalgamation of rural and urban authorities, but the introduction of revised levy arrangements was delayed.

“This Government wants to look at the funding structure of FENZ to see if we can provide a stable, simple funding system that is fair to individuals and businesses,” Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin said last week.

A discussion paper will be released on future arrangements.