Fire prevention starts with preparation, right equipment

IN Partnership with

NZI partners with Firewatch NZ to offer businesses up to a 50% discount on professional fire prevention gear*

WHEN A fire breaks out in a business, it’s not always the fire service that saves the day. In most cases, it’s ordinary people – armed with the right equipment – who stop small blazes from becoming devastating blazes. The statistics paint a surprising picture: when fire strikes a commercial property, 80% of incidents are extinguished in the early stages by members of the public rather than professional firefighters. Of these successful interventions, 90% rely on a simple tool – the fire extinguisher. Yet they can be easily thwarted by inadequate equipment or poor preparation. Too often, the extinguisher they reach for is the wrong size, hidden from view or missing altogether, turning a moment of quick resolve into one of helplessness.

Established in 1859, NZI is New Zealand’s leading provider of business insurance. We are proud of our more than 165-year history of supporting customers in their time of need. NZI is proudly backed by IAG New Zealand, the largest general insurer in the country. IAG New Zealand also trades under the State, AMI, NAC, Lumley and Lantern brands and provides the general insurance products sold by ASB, BNZ, Westpac and The Co-operative Bank. IAG New Zealand employs over 4,000 people, holds relationships with one in every two New Zealand households and insures over NZ$1.07 trillion of commercial and domestic assets.

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Commercial property fire facts

of incidents are extinguished in the early stages by members of the public rather than professional firefighters

“At NZI, we bring deep insight from our claims experiences, and when coupled with strong industry relationships, we’re well placed to support customers as trusted advisers in the risk management space”

Garry Taylor, NZI

Despite clear evidence from Fire and Emergency New Zealand about the importance of accessible, properly sized extinguishers, insurance provider NZI’s risk consultants routinely encounter businesses that have inadvertently compromised their fire protection. During thousands of visits to customer premises each year, they discover undersized extinguishers purchased online, equipment stored in drawers rather than mounted visibly on walls, and inadequate signage that could prove disastrous in an emergency. “Each year, our team of risk consultants visit over 2,500 of our customers’ premises,” says Garry Taylor, executive general manager at NZI. “Increasingly we see fire extinguishers purchased online, or from DIY/hardware stores, that are undersized and therefore not up to the task or stored in drawers or cupboards rather than mounted on walls in visible locations with proper signage for quick and easy access.” Many New Zealand businesses still fall short with extinguishers, despite their role as the first line of defence in commercial fires. Now, a new offer from NZI and Firewatch NZ aims to change that by making professional fire safety equipment more accessible, helping businesses move beyond mere compliance to true prevention – and ultimately, resilience.

This reality has prompted NZI to expand its risk consulting services through a partnership with Firewatch NZ, offering customers a 50% discount up to a maximum of $1,000 (inc. GST) (T&Cs apply) on professional fire prevention equipment. The initiative builds on NZI’s existing Risk Solutions programme, which already includes fleet risk management and electrical inspections. “Our partnership with Firewatch on this campaign aims to remove some of the cost barriers associated with professional installation by offering customers a discount on vital equipment,” Taylor explains. “Firewatch technicians will also provide a 30-minute training session during the equipment

installation to help employees understand when, how and why to use handheld firefighting equipment.” The discount applies to hand-operated firefighting equipment, including fire extinguishers, fire blankets, hose reels, wall mounting and installation labour costs. All equipment must be supplied and installed by Firewatch NZ, which is a member of the Fire Protection Association and uses certified equipment tested to New Zealand standards.

The partnership between NZI and Firewatch NZ has provided both companies with deep insights into what works – and what doesn’t – when it comes to fire prevention. “NZI has had a long-standing relationship with Firewatch NZ, and the Fire Protection Association, for over 20 years,” Taylor says. “Our years of experience mean we understand the critical importance of handheld firefighting equipment in preventing small fires from escalating into large fires.” The relationship extends beyond equipment supply to practical validation of effectiveness. Firewatch NZ recharges hundreds of fire extinguishers each year that have been successfully used to extinguish small fires, providing real-world evidence of the equipment’s value when properly installed and maintained. “Firewatch is a long-standing member of the New Zealand Fire Protection Association, and through our work with them, we have found strong alignment in our core values, supporting Kiwi businesses to operate safely and stay in business,” Taylor adds.

“We know the true cost of a claim event goes far beyond the physical damage – it can disrupt operations, drain resources and create enormous stress for business owners and their teams, and some businesses never come back from it,” Taylor explains. This understanding shapes NZI’s philosophy around risk management. “Our industry is in the business of risk management and risk transfer – ultimately we act as a financial safety net,” Taylor says. “At NZI, we bring deep insight from our claims experiences, and when coupled with strong industry relationships, we’re well placed to support customers as trusted advisers in the risk management space.”

The partnership emphasises professional installation and training as key advantages over DIY approaches to fire protection. Firewatch NZ’s membership of the Fire Protection Association ensures installations meet New Zealand standards, while the included training session addresses the human element of fire response. “For handheld equipment to be effective it must be appropriately matched to the potential hazard, easily accessible and have clear signage,” Taylor says. “Emphasis must be placed on equipment being properly sized and installed.” When purchasing fire protection equipment, NZI recommends engaging credible suppliers and installers to ensure fitness for purpose and compliance with appropriate New Zealand standards. The company suggests searching the Fire Protection Association website for member companies, noting that members are bound by a code of conduct and must hold a minimum of $2 million in product and public liability insurance as well as relevant certification.

Prevention over protection

A lengthy history of shared purpose

Published 08 Sep 2025

*T&Cs apply

“We know the true cost of a claim event goes far beyond the physical damage – it can disrupt operations, drain resources and create enormous stress for business owners and their teams”

Garry Taylor, NZI

80%

of successful interventions by the public use a fire extinguisher

90%

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Source: NZI

One-time 50% discount off the recommended retail price (RRP) of firefighting protection equipment from Firewatch NZ, up to a maximum discount of $1,000 (inc GST)*

NZI/FIREWATCH NZ OFFER

Offer available from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026

Available to new and existing NZI customers who have Material Damage insurance cover with NZI

Discount applies to firefighting and protection equipment (and services) supplied and installed by Firewatch NZ, including:

hand-operated firefighting equipment including but not limited to:

• fire extinguishers • fire blankets • hose reels and associated signage • wall mounting • installation labour costs

*T&C’s apply

While regulatory compliance drives some fire protection investments, NZI’s approach focuses on the broader business case for prevention.

Beyond compliance thinking

Professional installation matters

approach, which analyses underlying business risks and identifies practical ways to control or prevent them. “Risk Solutions takes a proactive approach,” Taylor explains. “By leveraging our extensive claims experience, we analyse the underlying business risks and work to identify practical ways to control and, if possible, prevent them. Our goal is to help minimise the likelihood of business interruptions or asset damage, protecting not just what matters but how our customers operate.”

The business case for proactive risk management becomes particularly compelling during periods of economic pressure. When businesses can avoid claims, it helps maintain more affordable insurance premiums, creating a virtuous cycle that benefits both insurers and their customers. “NZI have been supporting customers for over 165 years, and we intend to continue supporting customers well into the future,” Taylor says. “Over that time, we have learned a lot about what can go wrong.” This experience has shaped the company’s Risk Solutions

The economics of prevention

Success metrics for the partnership focus on prevention rather than response. “Handheld firefighting equipment is proven to work,” Taylor says. “Every customer who engages with Firewatch to install handheld firefighting equipment, making sure they have the right product, properly installed and that their people know how to use it, will be a success.” For businesses holding Material Damage insurance cover with NZI, the fire protection offer provides access to professional equipment and installation at a significantly reduced cost. “Through our partnership with Firewatch NZ, we aim to reduce preventable fire-related incidents, protect businesses from disruption and support long-term affordability,” Taylor explains. “The ultimate goal is to help businesses avoid the disruption, cost and stress that come with fire-related claims.” In the end, the prevention of workplace fires is not just about acting in the heat of the moment but being well prepared long before the first spark. It’s businesses and proactive insurers like NZI that ensure that by investing in the right equipment and training, businesses can empower their teams to transform a moment of crisis into a story of prevention, not regret.

Measuring success through prevention

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