Published: 16 April 2026
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) levy changes from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, the way the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) levy is calculated will change for many insurance policies.
From 1 July 2026, the way the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) levy is calculated will change for many insurance policies.
The FENZ levy is a government‑set levy that helps fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s services. It is separate from the insurance premium and is collected through insurance policies on FENZ’s behalf - it is not set by insurers or brokers.
When do the changes apply?
• The new levy rules apply to policies that start (are entered into) or renew on or after 1 July 2026
• Policies already in place before this date continue under current levy rules until renewal
• You don’t need to do anything right now
The sections below outline the main levy changes affecting households and businesses. Actual levy amounts depend on the policies you have. If you’re unsure which applies to you, your Rothbury broker can help.
All levy amounts and rates shown are exclusive of GST. GST will be added to the levy when your insurance policy is billed.
What’s changing for households from 1 July 2026
| Insurance type | Current levy | New levy from 1 July 2026 | What this means for most households |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor vehicles | $9.53 per vehicle per year | $25.00 per vehicle per year (applies to all insured motor vehicles - including trailers specified on your policy and vehicles insured for third-party-only cover). | Increase for most private vehicles |
| Home (residential building) | Maximum of $119.50 per year | Maximum of $107.40 per year | Small decrease for most homeowners |
| Contents (household property) | Maximum of $23.90 per year | Maximum of $21.48 per year | Small decrease for most households |
| Insurance type | Current levy | New levy from 1 July 2026 | What this means for most households |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor vehicles | $9.53 per vehicle per year |
$25.00 per vehicle per year (Applies to all insured motor vehicles, including trailers specified on your policy and vehicles insured for third‑party‑only cover) | Increase for most private vehicles |
| Home (residential building) | Maximum of $119.50 per year | Maximum of $107.40 per year | Small decrease for most homeowners |
| Contents (household property) | Maximum of $23.90 per year | Maximum of $21.48 per year | Small decrease for most households |