Petition Summary: We, the residents of the Hibiscus Coast and surrounding areas, demand immediate action to properly fund and staff the Silverdale Fire Station with full-time, career firefighters 24/7. Our region has experienced rapid population growth, yet emergency services have not kept pace, posing a serious risk to public safety.

Currently, Silverdale Fire Station only operates with career firefighters from Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Outside these hours, it is entirely dependent on volunteer firefighters, who do an incredible job but should not be the sole response force in a growing urban area. The lack of permanent staff increases response times and endangers lives.

The Issues:

✅ 26.9% population growth in the Hibiscus Coast between 2013 and 2023. 

✅ Millwater’s population alone has doubled in the past five years. 

✅ Silverdale Fire Station covers a massive area, including Orewa, Waiwera, Stillwater, and even parts of Riverhead Forest.

✅ Increased risk of house fires, motor vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies due to high-density growth and traffic congestion.

✅ Residents pay fire insurance levies—yet funding is not being reinvested into our local fire service to ensure 24/7 staffing.

✅ Supporting fire stations are stretched thin—the nearest career-staffed stations are East Coast Bays and Albany, both of which may already be attending other emergencies or face significant delays due to traffic congestion when responding to our region.

The devastating Milldale fires highlighted how urgent this issue is. Had they happened at night, when only volunteers were available, the outcome could have been far worse.

Our Demand: We call on Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and government decision-makers to immediately allocate funding to ensure that Silverdale Fire Station has a 24/7 career firefighting crew.

This is not just a request—it is a necessity. Are we waiting for an avoidable fatality or a Coronial Inquest before organisations and policy makers adequately staff our emergency services?

Sign this petition to demand action now!