People who say they've suffered bullying, harassment and abuse at Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) are sceptical about a new review of the workplace culture.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The independent review was announced today, three years after a damning report by retired judge Coral Shaw found harassment and bullying were rife at all levels and across all regions.
Complainants RNZ spoke to today believed abusers and supporters remained at the organisation and said they didn't think anything would change until they were gone.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) announced the independent review today which, formally, was requested by new FENZ board chair Rebecca Keoghan, but which follows dozens of media stories and complaints to the Minister of Internal Affairs about bullying, abuse and failures with how the matters were investigated and dealt with.
Complainants cautiously welcomed the new review, but expressed concerns it would be a box-ticking exercise and there would be no lasting change at the beleaguered organisation.
They said nothing had changed since the Shaw report and in some cases things had become worse.
One former firefighter who said she was sexually assaulted believed culture change would be achieved quickly if FENZ got rid of abusers and their supporters, who she said remained among its 14,000 volunteer and full-time staff.
"Reviews are often used to look at culture but this isn't what this is about," she said.
"It's about accountability, so it has to be sheeted home to the people that do the wrongdoing so you can hold them to account, so they're not there anymore. And that's how you get a new organisation. All the victims need to be heard."
Another former firefighter, Tristan Roberts, said he was hopeful but dubious anyone will be held to account.
Roberts was a 2017 Kiwibank Local Hero for a decade spent serving in the fire service, St John and as an honorary fishery officer.
He left the fire service after saying he witnessed bullying and abuse go unpunished, and didn't mince his words as he shared his views.
"I have no faith, trust or confidence in anything that the fire service touches, the board touches, because historically they have always protected the organisation. They're not looking for the truth. They're looking to protect their status in the community which is one of the most trusted professions. They're protecting the brand."
In a memo to all FENZ staff, leaked to RNZ, new FENZ board chair Rebecca Keoghan said she requested that the PSC conduct the investigation as a follow-up to the Shaw Report.
The email said although FENZ has made progress and she was proud of what it had achieved as an organisation, the cultural change it needed to make would take FENZ many years.
She added the work was challenging, and it would take time to achieve the "lasting and meaningful change" it was seeking, and that the FENZ board was united in its desire to continue its progress towards a "truly positive and inclusive workplace culture".
In a public statement, she said, "I look forward to the findings of this independent review, and the reviewer's recommendations on how we can continue to improve things for our people".
Meanwhile, New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union national secretary Wattie Watson said the coming review was a vindication for all the victims who had been forced to go to the media over their unhappiness with how FENZ handled complaints.
She also told RNZ she believed FENZ still needed to properly resolve allegations of bullying and harassment levelled at United Fire Brigades' Association chief executive Bill Butzbach, which FENZ funds.
An inquiry was dropped after terms of reference could not be agreed with the complainants.
"Those matters are still outstanding and I think for everybody involved there needs to be a proper investigation into what has actually been alleged and how it has been dealt with in order to make some findings and find a resolution," Watson said.
RNZ has contacted Butzbach for a response.
The PSC review is due to be completed in November.
