On July 1 rural and urban fire services merged to form Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
But farmers at Federated Farmers arable sector conference were concerned about new rules for fire permits.
Canterbury farmers were particularly concerned given the restrictions that were imposed this season as a result of the Christchurch Port Hills fires.
That had cost them a lot of money, due to not being able to burn, and for many it had meant crops had not made it into the ground.
That was a cost that couldn’t be recovered and it had severely impacted on their farming businesses, they said.
While acknowledging they treated burning as a privilege rather than a right, the farmers said they were currently working under a code of practice and the concern was why change what was working well for the region.
FENZ project leader Richard Stewart assured them the new organisation allowed consultation with communities and the intention was to work with local committees to identify the risks and how best to manage those risks.
The federation would continue discussions with officials to ensure the promised benefits for rural fire services were delivered and any new permitting system was fit for purpose and balanced the safety compliance, education and land management requirements, arable vice-chairman Colin Hurst said.
Meantime, there would be no immediate changes to fire control with the open, restricted and prohibited season fire work plans remaining in place.
The new organisation would do a wide range of emergency response activities, including natural disaster and medical emergencies, Stewart said.
It was funded by an insurance levy but details had not been finalised.
A discussion document was being written and there would a chance for farmers to have input before key levy changes took effect on July 1, 2019.
Local advisory committees would play a key role to support planning that recognised local differences and delivery for emergency services in individual areas.
Two trials had been running, one taking in Mid and South Canterbury and the second in Auckland, with 16 committees proposed across the country.
The committees would give advice from a local perspective to FENZ but it would be early 2018 before the boundaries were confirmed.
FENZ would engage with stakeholder groups including the federation, Rural Women, electricity companies, Grey Power and major industry businesses such as Fonterra to ensure local arrangements were fit for purpose.
“But at the same time we will be looking to get some consistency around the country,” Stewart said.
One of the biggest changes in the new structure was the removal of cost recovery from people responsible for fires.
“The reasons for this include broad and unfair inconsistency across rural and urban making it difficult to apply with the removal of urban and rural fire district boundaries.”
People could still be prosecuted for serious offences such as lighting fires in the open without a permit.
