
Underpaid Firefighters: Why are People at Desks Earning More?
From Duncan Garner - Editor In Chief by rova
April 28, 2026 · 16 min
About this episode
Duncan Garner discusses the disparity in pay between firefighters and management in New Zealand's fire service.
Something is badly wrong when firefighters are among the lowest-paid people inside the very service they keep alive. On the Slam Dunc, Duncan Garner takes aim at Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s pay priorities, questioning why frontline firefighters are still fighting for better pay, safer staffing, reliable trucks and proper gear while management layers and board fees keep climbing. From the CEO’s salary to six-figure corporate roles, Duncan asks the obvious question: why are the people running into burning buildings earning less than the people sitting behind desks? We also hear listener feedback on immigration, school zoning pressure in Auckland, and the need to bring people with us when policy decisions reshape communities. It’s blunt, uncomfortable, and exactly the sort of conversation New Zealand needs to have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Duncan Garner
Topics covered
- firefighter pay
- management salaries
- public service
- listener feedback
- policy decisions
Keywords
- firefighters
- pay disparity
- management salaries
- listener feedback
- New Zealand
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
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