Fire and Emergency New Zealand Levy Changes Take Effect 1 July 2026

05/08/2026 05/08/2026

Patrick Wang

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Levy Changes Take Effect 1 July 2026

Funding for Fire and Emergency New Zealand services comes almost entirely from a Fire and Emergency Levy (the levy) the Government collects on certain types of insurances, including home and contents, commercial property, vehicles and other assets that could be damaged by fire.

Generally, policy holders don’t pay the levy directly to FENZ; instead, it’s added to the premium on applicable insurance policies and then it is passed to FENZ

What are the key changes?

The levy will be calculated based on the sum insured only, there is no longer the option to use the indemnity/depreciated value.
Levy rates will move from a single rate to multiple rates, depending on the type of property.
All motor vehicles are subject to a flat levy of $25.00, replacing the previous weight-based rating structure. Third party cover will also now have a levy charged.
Previously exempt property such as aircraft, livestock, forestry, growing crops, live plants, fruits/orchard trees and vines will now have a levy applied.
All boats are now exempted from the levy, whereas previously trailered craft were levied. However, the flat motor vehicle levy still applies for any specified trailers included on the policy. A separate levy may also apply to specified personal effects/contents and recreational or fishing/diving equipment determined by the wording of each insurer’s policy.

What does this mean for your insurance?
If you have renewed your cover prior to 1 July 2026, there is no change to the levy during your current term of insurance (except where you add additional property/risks to your cover). At your next renewal in 2026 or 2027, the new levy rates will apply.

Talk to your insurance broker 
 Contact your insurance broker to discuss how the new levies may affect your policies or to review your existing covers and sums insured. They can also help you to plan ahead so you can make confident, well-informed decisions at renewal.

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