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Celebrity Football ⁣Match to Benefit Salvation Army Kicks Off in Waikato

Cambridge, New Zealand ‌- A charity football event, “Kick for a Cause,” is underway in Cambridge, Waikato, today, bringing together local sports stars, politicians, and personalities to raise funds for the Salvation Army. The event,which began with a women’s ⁣game followed by ‍a men’s⁣ match from 1pm,aims to support the Salvation army’s vital services in the Waikato region.

The initiative was sparked by Alan Cobby’s daughter, Chantelle, ‍after she saw Soccer Aid on television. Cobby and his daughter have been ⁢running charity football events in the Waikato and ⁣Bay of Plenty as 2023. Organizers say the event has grown significantly since its​ initial games in Rotorua. Funds raised will directly benefit the Salvation Army’s ‍work ‍supporting approximately 80 individuals each month in the Waikato town, including providing assistance with food, schooling,⁤ and support for ⁤the homeless.

Among​ those participating is Tracy Hemingway, known locally ‍as the DebtFreeDiva, who played in the women’s⁣ game. Annette Willis and Initi Tuiono from the Cambridge branch of the Salvation Army were present to support the players and the ⁤fundraising effort.

“This ⁣will ‍go for ⁣our foodbank [towards] kids schooling,we help out with that too. It will ⁣go a long way,” said Willis.​ Tuiono added, “I’m just a screamer on the sideline…For now, I’ll just​ scream for⁣ whoever is running with the ball.”

Alan ‍Cobby, who umpired the women’s game, highlighted the ​community spirit driving the ‌event. The “Kick for a Cause” event provides⁤ a unique opportunity ‍to combine​ local enthusiasm for football with critical support for vulnerable members of the‌ community.

FENZ Announces $50 Million Annual Savings Target Amidst Escalating Risks & Funding Concerns

WELLINGTON, NZ – fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is aiming⁣ to save $50 million each ⁣year⁢ from 2026/27, as the agency faces increasing ⁣demands and a⁢ shifting funding landscape.The proclamation comes after a recent directive from the government to save $60 million by 2029, and follows a period of revenue growth – nearly doubling since 2017 to ‍approximately $800 million annually.

The ⁢savings​ target was initially set​ at $240 million over three years, but has since been revised to $150 million, according to ⁤an August memo from FENZ leadership. FENZ CEO Kerry Gregory stated in the memo that funding⁢ is becoming “less reliable” due to dropping insurance levy income, ⁣requiring the agency to “plan for the possibility that our funding will continue ‍to go down.”

The cost-cutting measures are unfolding alongside an organisational restructure that has⁣ already yielded $14 million in savings as of August. Approximately half of FENZ’s $800 million annual budget is allocated to personnel – comprising 1800 paid firefighters,12,000 volunteers,and 1300 management and support staff. Another $100 million⁣ is‌ spent on ⁢the fleet and gear.

Recent decisions have sparked concern among some firefighters, including ⁤a ban on rescues utilizing motorised boats, despite three volunteer‍ brigades ⁣having already invested in this capability, including jetskis on the‍ Waikato ⁢River. FENZ cited the capability as “dangerous”⁣ and beyond its current capacity. The agency has clarified that this decision is “not at all related to cost savings.”

FENZ currently operates six water teams equipped with rafts, but‍ lacking motors.‍ Some firefighters believe this ⁤represents an​ inadequate response‌ to the growing risk⁢ of flooding, and suggest the agency is hesitant to allocate further resources to water rescue.

The agency is also navigating commitments made during 2022 pay talks regarding an increase in paid firefighters. While a working group ⁢proposed increasing frontline numbers, FENZ has ​agreed “in principle that a blanket increase was ‘not effective’⁢ and increased firefighters should be placed where there is ‍the greatest need.”‌ ‍ FENZ maintains ⁢it is maximizing the use⁤ of existing staff before ⁢adding new ‍personnel, ‌and a risk-based assessment is underway, with data expected by Christmas to support a potential “uplift.”

Temporary increases in staffing have been implemented in​ Auckland⁤ (50 firefighters)‍ and Gisborne (nine paid crew). ‍ FENZ stated the overall intention is “to⁢ enable Fire and Emergency New Zealand to focus on delivering our core business.”

despite⁣ the savings drive, Gregory emphasized the need to continue investing in personnel,⁣ buildings – including upgrades to existing stations – regulatory duties, and essential gear, such as replacing aging fire trucks. Deputy Prime ‌Minister David Seymour⁤ recently acknowledged the need for meaningful fleet ⁣upgrades, noting that FENZ only established an asset maintenance plan in the last two years.