Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has begun public consultation on its proposed Statutory Dispute Resolution Scheme.

The Department of Internal Affairs says the purpose of the scheme is to enable organisations, members of the public and Fire and Emergency volunteer firefighters to raise and resolve disputes relating to the delivery of FENZ’s services and processes.

Information on the proposed scheme and the consultation document are available here. Submissions are required by 5pm on 14 May 2019.

The department is responsible for the legislation in which FENZ operates. This includes the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017, which requires FENZ to develop a disputes resolution scheme. The department is also responsible for monitoring FENZ under the Crown entities framework.

In response to a written parliamentary question from National MP Paula Bennett, Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin has said there are "no specific dates" when she will receive the next report from the review of FENZ funding.

"I expect to receive a draft public discussion document by mid-2019. I expect policy decisions relating to the review will be made by Cabinet in 2020," Ms Martin said.