In spite of recent initiatives by the New Zealand Fire Service to reduce the risk of fire in small businesses in the tourist accommodation industry, there had been little or no research into fire safety in this sector. The intention of this study is to address this lack of information by investigating the fire safety issues facing those operating in this sector and to examine both the relationship between the small business sector and the New Zealand Fire Service and role played by small business stakeholders in fire safety in small tourist accommodation businesses.

The study investigated small accommodation businesses within four geographical areas Manukau, Franklin, North Shore and Rodney. It also interviewed key stakeholders from the New Zealand Fire Service, the territorial local authorities and the fire consultancy industry.

The findings revealed that there are a number factors that impact on the small business owner’s compliance with fire safety regulations, such as their access to resources, their level of management skills, the influence of industry associations, the regulatory environment and their relationship with the regulatory agencies and small business advisors. Based on the findings it is also possible to construct models of compliance and non-compliance behaviour and present different types of compliant and non-compliant businesses. However, influential factors cannot be seen in isolation but must be viewed as being interconnected and part of the context of operating a small business in a highly competitive industry.