The Annual Report sets out the results the New Zealand Fire Service Commission (Commission) has achieved against its annual plan (Statement of Intent). The annual report describes some of the key events that have occurred during each year, sets out the key results and the financial performance of the Commission against its intended performance.

The Commission's annual report is formally tabled in Parliament each year and is analysed by select committees to judge whether the Commission has delivered value to New Zealand communities.

Featured below is the table of contents and a short overview from the report. If you would like to read the report click on the download pdf link in the blue box to your right.

Fire Service Commission Expenditure and Funding Arrangements

The Commission is concerned about a widespread misunderstanding of the unique arrangements governing the expenditure and funding of the Commission. The following summary of the arrangements is provided to help readers of the accounts and the annual report gain a better perspective of the financial position of the Commission.

• New Zealand Fire Service Expenditure. Each year the Commission must submit estimates of its expenditure to the Minister of Internal Affairs and obtain the Minister’s approval before committing that expenditure. The approved estimates of expenditure determine the Commission’s spending levels, not the state of the levy account, ie a surplus in the levy account does not enable the Commission to spend more, nor a deficit in the account to spend less. Expenditure from the rural fire fighting fund is subject to the same Ministerial approval process.
• Commission Funding. The Commission is authorised to draw from the levy account funds equal to its actual net expenditure.When the levy account is insufficiently funded to meet that expenditure the Commission is authorised to borrow the shortfall from its bankers in anticipation of future levy income. This was the situation during the year in review and the preceding year.
• Fire Service Levy Income. The level of income generated by the levy depends on two factors: the rate of levy (which is set by the Minister of Internal Affairs after approving the Commission estimates of expenditure) and the underlying amount for which all property in New Zealand is insured against the risk of fire. Neither factor is within the control of the Commission.