The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Fire Protection Association New Zealand (FPANZ) have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing fire and life safety across New Zealand through knowledge sharing, training, and resource exchange.

The MoU was signed during the recent FireNZ 2025 Conference in Auckland, where FPANZ marked its 50th anniversary. Mike Brunzell, vice president of global business development at NFPA, joined FPANZ members as a keynote speaker and panelist at the event, the first formal NFPA participation in the annual FireNZ conference.

“This agreement reflects a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration that has grown between our organizations in recent years,” said Scott Lawson, CEO, FPANZ. “The work of NFPA is known and referenced around the world, and this MoU formalizes our ability to work more closely together to the benefit of our members and the communities they serve. We are deeply appreciative of NFPA's support and look forward to a future of shared progress.”

The agreement continues NFPA's efforts to expand its global reach and support fire safety advancement in the Oceania region.

“In addition to this agreement with the Fire Protection Association of New Zealand, during our trip NFPA was pleased to foster our connections with colleagues from Fire Protection Association Australia, and the National Fire Authority of Fiji,” Brunzell said. “These collaborations strengthen knowledge exchanges and reflect our commitment to working alongside national associations and the leaders they represent to build safer, more resilient communities.”

This announcement builds on several years of collaboration between NFPA and FPANZ and opens the door to new joint initiatives in training, research, and advocacy aligned with the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem, a framework designed to protect people and property around the world.