Government makes an offer long-running firefighter pay dispute

From Midday Report, 12:12 pm on 4 November 2022

Firefighters have called off today's strike action after the Government stepped in with an offer to help settle the long-running industrial dispute.

Fire and Emergency's chief executive Kerry Gregory says it's a very positive development. 

It comes as firefighters are today dousing hot-spots after a massive scrub fire in the dune grasses and pine forest at Pegasus Bay north of Christchurch. 

That blaze was sparked by fireworks, which are currently on sale. 

The Professional Firefighters' Union says the risk of more fires was worrying members and the government. 

But the Union's national secretary Wattie Watson says there's not enough money in the offer to fix systemic problems, including understaffing, low wages and failing equipment.

The internal affairs minister Jan Tinetti spoke to Michael Cropp on Midday Report.