Independent Review into FENZ

The independent Review into FENZ’ workplace policies, procedures and practices to address bullying and harassment is well underway. Lead reviewer, Judge Coral Shaw, is extremely pleased at the response from FENZ personnel and with the expressions of full support of the senior leaders at Fire and Emergency and all Unions and Associations who are committed to making positive changes to support an inclusive workplace culture

Since the review began she and her reference group of Samantha Turner, Carol MacDonald, and Mike Feely, have been on the road.

They have talked to 25 groups from all parts of the organisation including:

• Rural and Urban volunteer and career firefighters
• Business services
• Area managers
• The Senior Leadership Team
• The Organisational Leadership Team
• Leaders of unions and associations
• HR and Health and Safety groups
• Women in FENZ
• Maori personnel at two large hui
• Trainers and recruits at the National Training Centre

At these meetings the sometimes-lively discussions about bullying and harassment generated at these meetings have given the team a broad overview of the many complex issues facing FENZ as it aspires to change its culture.

The team is working hard to ensure that the voices of individuals working in and around FENZ are also being heard. All personnel were encouraged and invited to take part in a survey and almost 1500 people responded either on-line or in a paper format. Of these, almost 500 offered to be interviewed,

The team carefully selected those to be interviewed to ensure that a wide range of opinions, experiences and perspectives were captured. Interviews are now being conducted with people from all regions and roles within FENZ, who reflect diverse views about the issues under consideration. As at the end of September, the team has interviewed over 60 people from every part of FENZ.

In addition, many of you have emailed to share your experiences and views. You are welcome to continue to send in submissions and emails to the team up to 14 October using the confidential email address: reviewteam@fenzreview.nz

Coral Shaw says that the team is hugely grateful for the time and effort people have taken to tell their stories. This has contributed greatly to the search for ways in which FENZ can better manage bullying and harassment and support the people who are impacted by it.

In the next phase of the review the Review team will be analysing all the material that has been gathered and will begin to reach conclusions and formulate recommendations for the final report which will be completed by the end of the year.