The New Zealand Professional Firefighters’ Union cancelled a planned one-hour strike set for noon today, citing extreme weather and states of emergency across parts of the North Island.
In a statement this morning, the New Zealand Professional Firefighters’ Union said its national committee made the decision in light of severe weather conditions affecting numerous districts.
States of emergency have been declared in several North Island regions as heavy rain and strong winds continue to cause flooding, slips and damage. Emergency services have been responding to weather-related incidents throughout the weekend.
The union said communication centres and frontline crews had been working hard to support their communities as the extreme weather persists and clean-up efforts begin.
NZPFU National Secretary Wattie Watson said the decision to cancel the strike reflected the current demands on members and the communities they serve.