Fire and Emergency New Zealand completes national rollout of Local Advisory Committees

New Zealand completes full rollout of Local Advisory Committees

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has finalised the creation of Local Advisory Committees across all regions, including new appointments in Canterbury and Wellington, according to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

The Local Advisory Committees (LACs) have been formed to advise the Fire and Emergency Board on community expectations, risks and local priorities.

This month’s announcements include the appointment of eight members to the Canterbury LAC and seven members to the Wellington LAC.

Fire and Emergency also confirmed three new members for the Chatham Islands committee.

The full network now includes 16 LACs representing every area of New Zealand.

Canterbury committee members appointed to support regional advice

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has confirmed eight inaugural members of the Canterbury Local Advisory Committee.

The appointment was announced on 17 July 2025.

The committee will cover both Canterbury and Mid-South Canterbury.

Members were selected by the Fire and Emergency Board to advise on issues specific to their local areas.

Te Ihu Region Manager Brad Mosby said: “Our Canterbury LAC members are well connected and respected within their communities, and we look forward to working with them.

“They’ll engage with community groups about local needs and support our local teams in building a shared understanding with communities about the service we deliver.”

The appointed members of the Canterbury LAC are Darin Cusack (Chair), Wendy Smith (Deputy Chair), Ross Paniora, Mark Adams, Brett King, Cherie Leckner, Andrew Cocking and Habib Marwat.

Wellington LAC to represent local community needs

The Wellington Local Advisory Committee was also confirmed on 17 July 2025.

The committee will serve the areas of Wellington, Porirua, Kapiti Coast, Hutt City and Wairarapa.

Seven members have been selected to serve on the committee.

They will advise on risks and values in their communities, working with Fire and Emergency to support informed decision making.

Te Ūpoko Region Manager Bruce Stubbs said: “Members represent a diverse range of interests, offer strong local knowledge and will bring real value to the table. We look forward to working with them.”

Stubbs added: “The committee’s first task will be to plan how to best engage and seek feedback about local needs from people in their communities, and to build a shared understanding with them about the service Fire and Emergency delivers.”

The Wellington LAC members are Adrienne Staples (Chair), Shamia Love Shariff (Deputy Chair), Maleeha Ahmad, Asher Wilson Goldman, Sara Williams, Andrew Brown and Maria Mitimeti.

Chatham Islands committee membership expands

Three new members have joined the Chatham Islands Local Advisory Committee.

This brings additional representation to one of New Zealand’s most remote regions.

According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, these appointments form part of the same nationwide expansion as the new Canterbury and Wellington committees.

All members are selected by the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board.

The Chatham Islands are one of 16 areas now covered by a fully formed Local Advisory Committee.

Local Advisory Committees now cover all 16 regions

With the confirmation of Canterbury and Wellington LACs, Fire and Emergency New Zealand has concluded its national rollout.

LACs are now established in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Whanganui-Manawatū, Nelson-Tasman, Marlborough, West Coast, Otago, Southland, Canterbury, Wellington and the Chatham Islands.

Each committee is tasked with engaging residents and identifying local fire-related concerns.

LACs are designed to support alignment between national emergency services and regional needs.

Committees meet regularly to provide independent advice to the Fire and Emergency Board.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand completes national rollout of Local Advisory Committees: Summary

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has confirmed the appointment of members to the Canterbury and Wellington Local Advisory Committees.

Eight members were appointed to the Canterbury LAC on 17 July 2025.

Seven members were appointed to the Wellington LAC on the same date.

The Chatham Islands LAC received three new members during the same period.

There are now 16 Local Advisory Committees operating across New Zealand.

Each LAC advises the Fire and Emergency Board on community risks and needs.

Members were appointed by the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board.

The announcement was made by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.