Ahmed Reynolds-Hatem explains the significance of the store to his family, who watched it break out in flames earlier today. Video / Jason Dorday, Supplied
The family behind the East Auckland bakery that burned during the professional firefighters’ strike hope the Government can help sort the stand-off.
The Herald can reveal that from Monday, February 16, the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) will strike again for one hour twice a week.
“I hope that everyone in the country gets a Civil Defence alert notifying of the strike so that Kiwis are made aware and able to handle the situation safely,” Reynolds-Hatem said.
Ahmed Reynolds-Hatem in front of his family's Pita House in Pakuranga. Photo / Jason Dorday
“I am no professional, but I’d hope the Government would be more compliant in helping maintain and upgrade firefighter facilities and equipment.
“I hope the politicians are aware, for it could be their own homes and families at risk, if the firefighters are not properly equipped.”
Family, including son Ahmed Reynolds-Hatem, of the owners of Pakuranga's Pita House watch as the shop goes up in flames. Photo / Jason Dorday
An internal NZPFU memo sighted by the Herald said: “We continue to notify of one-hour full stoppages from 12 noon on Fridays and have given notice of a one-hour full stoppage from 12 noon Monday 16th February 2026.
“The National Committee has determined it was time to escalate and give notice of Monday and Friday strikes.”
New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union president Martin Campbell.
A union source said there would be a “major increase in industrial action in March”.
NZPFU president Martin Campbell said the firefighters had to up their industrial action because Fire and Emergency New Zealand was not listening to their grievances.
“We do not take this action lightly,” Campbell said.
“And it has been pure luck nothing really tragic has happened while we have taken industrial action.”
Smoke billows from the Pita House fire in Pakuranga, Auckland.
He said the public did not need to panic about the Waitangi Day action because more volunteers would be on call to cover the hour-long strike.
However, Fire and Emergency NZ deputy national commander Megan Stiffler warned that the strike meant some emergency responses would be delayed, given volunteers will be responding from the next nearest station.
“We will still answer calls and respond to fires, but our responses will be longer than normal.
“These continued strikes by the NZPFU and the threat to expand them to twice weekly unnecessarily put the public at risk, given we are in facilitated bargaining with the union and are due to meet again next week to progress negotiations.
“We have also sought to agree a process with NZPFU officials to respond to emergency events during strike periods where there is a risk to life or danger of escalation, but have been turned down. That approach is hugely disappointing.”
Reynolds-Hatem said the family have been “going full throttle” these past three weeks cleaning up the Pakuranga site.
