Simeon Brown & Van Velden VERSUS NZ Firefighters
Written By:
Mountain Tui - Date published:
12:43 pm, January 10th, 2026 - 16 comments
Categories: Brooke van Velden, david seymour, simeon brown -
Tags: FENZ, firefighters, Megan Stiffler
Simeon Brown & Megan Stiffler versus Firefighters
- Simeon Brown played politics yesterday again, attacking firefighters and the unions they are part of, for being on strike between 12 – 1pm after Auckland business “Pita House” burned in Pakuranga.
- FENZ Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler, who has been considered aggressive and non-conciliatory in her approach towards the firefighters and the union, accused firefighters of “gambling with lives”. Her accusation was the lead in headline for the TVNZ 1News bulletin last night, stifling firefighters’ remarks.
- It all comes months after daily breakdowns of firetrucks around the country – including in Auckland and its only high reach ladder.
- In April 2025, two veteran firefighters were stuck in a fire truck’s ladder basket when it broke down directly above the huge industrial fire on Auckland’s North Shore, putting them at serious risk.
- In June 2025, it was reported that Timaru firefighters felt helpless as main fire engines at Washdyke and Timaru fire stations are off the road, forcing firefighters to rely on 30-year-old sub-standard replacement fire engines.
- In August 2025, an Auckland Kumeū warehouse burned down after the only 30-metre ladder truck – already on loan from Wellington – broke down.
- In August in Hamilton, firefighters were forced to retreat from a local house fire after a a critical pump failure during firefighting operations.
- In November 2025, a “pretty dangerous failure” left a Dunedin command unit without power while driving on a main highway and four fire trucks had broken down or were out of service during the peak time of the fire.
- And in November 2025, a New Plymouth frontline fire truck also experienced a break down during operations.
- There are many more documented cases.
One has to wonder why Simeon Brown and Brooke Van Velden didn’t care for these incidents that has led to homes and businesses burning down – with David Seymour playing down firefighters’ concerns about their equipment, lying that fire truck breakdowns were rare.
But a 1 hour strike by firefighters is now used as political fodder by National/ACT.
ACT denied funding increase for firefighters in 2024
- In April 2024, Internal Affairs Minister and ACT Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden refused a request to increase FENZ levies after lobbying by the insurance industry, despite warning it would be insufficient.
- Van Velden also concealed her briefings around the matter. At the time, I warned this would put our infrastructure at risk.
- David Seymour also lied in Parliament about fire trucks, leading to a former All Black player challenging Seymour to visit fire stations for himself.
- Firefighters warned yesterday that FENZ is trying to create a rift between firefighters and volunteers – creating a dangerous precedent in New Zealand
Union Busting Part of the National Party / ACT Modus Operandi & Atlas Network Politicians
Repost from Mountain Tui
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A lack of respect for working conditions and safety
NACT determined on this with their Ministerial Appointment.
80% staffing on wards – burning out staff and finding replacements by preventing pay equity across the sector.
My question has to be- can national fire services be privatised?
The same playbook is already in place- cutting off funding and deliberately running down resources.
That is the ultimate goal, is it not, to privatise everything that isn't triple-bolted down?
My understanding is originally they were funded by insurance companies, obviously to
protect the bottom linekeep people safe.What is it with these people?
Most of whom haven't done an honest weeks work in their life and their worship of balance sheets and the dollar.
The work these folk do that isn't fighting fires is to be celebrated. They were the first responders in Feilding when my Father in law dialled 111.
The grace and dignity they demonstrated in an unsuccessful resuscitation was highly professional and comforting.
My understanding is originally they were funded by insurance companies, obviously to
protect the bottom linekeep people safe.Quite right. That's why every insurance premium still has a component called "fire service levy".
Hopefully more lost votes to the parties the house these couple of pathetic nasty little twerps.
This spectacularly backfired on these Ministers' FB accounts. I couldn't find ONE comment out of hundreds supporting what they were saying about the Firefighters Union and their action. I suppose Simeon could put his little plastic helmet on and go try being a first responder. Or Brooke could have a go and mess up her Iron Maiden look. Perish the thought.
Firefighters saw off Roger Estall and they'll see this pair off, too.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/fallout-from-estall-goes-on/QKQ4YGSERR4DYO7VVXOEC5NMKM/
https://archive.li/3kxjg
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/estall-i-have-had-a-gutsful/KRHU4JVZTCADHOMGRL3RRNWVHE/
https://archive.li/5SPFJ
My thoughts on this are that firstly, firefighters and other life-essential people shouldn't be able to go on strike, and shouldn't need to go on strike.
I think the answer is very simple. People in this category should be treated the same way politicians are treated in terms of pay and conditions. That is, there should be an independent body that assesses pay and conditions in relation to the relevant factors such as comparable pays etc. That would mean that people in the life essential category should always be getting paid appropriately, and the public interest would be served without interruption.
You mean the pay rises for politicians that have bought them from "on par with Teachers" to several times a Teachers pay. I wouldn't bother going on strike, with pay rises like that, either!
Shouldn't be able to go on strike sounds a bit like slavery doesn't it? Do they get locked up if they refuse to work?
When did you last see a politician go on strike for better pay?
Who are they supposedly refusing to work for when they go on strike?
@ tsmithfield @6.
As the post you are commenting under mentions explicitly the concerns are about under investment and equipment failure, I am not sure if you have been disingenuous or not but will extend the benefit of doubt.
Like the majority of workers on strike, it isn't solely about pay. There is a direct link between Willis's austerity approach and the dire predicament fire fighters find themselves in.
And… since you mentioned pay, what rate of pay should a FF receive as a portion of an MP's renumeration?
I would suggest a FF is worth more to my community than Suze 'Sorted' Redmayne is.
S
In response to the replies above I would say that none of us wants to see buildings burning down as per the other day. And, I don't think it is fair that workers in emergency professions should lose their right to be treated fairly either. Which is why I have suggested that an independent body determines their pay in a similar way to which politicians pays are set. If people feel they are being treated fairly, they are unlikely to want to strike in the first place.
So far as the equipment side of things go, there has recently been a substantial investment in equipment. The issue though has been the implimentation of that investment which has been a cluster.
Sounds like the recently repealed "Fair Pay Agreements Act" doesn't it.
If Bernie Sanders was here he would be on the front line with the guys and women who when we are at risk will be there to save us and confront fires of all kinds and attend the worst aspects of road crash’s and fatalities. Many of those who serve are volunteer’s and that is one of the finest attributes that those of our people who will confront danger and death as volunteers. They are an example of the best of our Kiwi kin.
Another term of these parasites will do irreversible damage to our country unless we stop them.
At least the Americans have a choice. Its time we had our own patriots. We all loved this country once.