Acts of heroism from first responders and witnesses will continue to emerge, revealing the power of community after the tragedy. The focus now is rightly where it should be: he tangata, he tangata, he tangata. The people: those lost, those grieving and the ongoing safety of those in affected areas that remain unstable. What further convincing than the past week do any of us need of the importance of Fire and Emergency New Zealand? We will need to know what we have learned – and we need to be real and honest about the answer.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 25, 2026 12:34 UTC