Who Are We?
The New Zealand Association of Fire Investigators (NZAFI) is the largest and foremost professional body uniting all fire investigators in New Zealand. We represent the broadest possible group of fire investigation professionals with our members coming from many fields including serving fire and police officers, private investigation firms, insurance companies, legal practitioners and forensic scientists.
Our Vision
The NZAFI shall continue to serve as the national resource with global ties for those working in, and associated with the fire, arson, and explosion investigation profession with respect to fire safety and prevention; arson investigation, determination, and prosecution; and fire loss claims and litigation.
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To provide a forum in which all agencies involved in the investigation of the cause and origin of fires, can develop an understanding of the full range of services and facilities available.
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To provide public education, highlighting the capacity of fire investigators to detect and determine the accurate picture of the dominant causes of fire losses in the community.
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To ensure that expert witness evidence, provided to our Courts, is factual, unbiased, and complete; not withstanding the adversarial nature of our justice system.
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To develop initiatives and programs which will raise the level of expertise and experience of those actively involved in the investigation of fires and to raise the level of understanding of those involved in policy making and resource allocation.
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To promote the highest level of ethical behaviour of all those involved, both directly, and indirectly in the investigation of fires.
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To encourage co-operation between public service agencies, private enterprises, and associations to further the suppression and prevention of fire and arson in New Zealand.
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To foster and promote greater professional competence in fire investigation techniques and the recognition of the crime of arson.
The NZAFI is an affiliated chapter of its parent organisation, the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and is registered as International Chapter 45.
The Association collaborates with other IAAI Chapters located in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales to actively participate in the Australian Association of Fire Investigators, bringing together Investigators from all across Australasia in a biennial training conference.
NZAFI Representatives
Ken Legat | President
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Ken has over ten years experience in the insurance industry as a Fire Origin and Cause Investigator, and over 33 years experience in the New Zealand Police. He owns Fire Investigation Services Ltd, a private company specialising in fire origin and cause investigations.
Mike Macklin | Vice-President
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Mike is a registered Electrical Inspector based in Christchurch and has over 30 years experience in industry. Mike and runs ElectriSAFE NZ Ltd, a company specialising in independent advice and reporting for all your electrical safety inspection and auditing needs.
Bruce Irvine | Treasurer
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Bruce is a Senior Fire Risk Reduction Officer for Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Bruce has spent over 38 years in the Fire and Emergency industry in both an operational training, and advisory level, to senior level.
Colin Melville | CFI & IAAI Chapter Liaison
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Colin is a Senior Fire Risk Reduction Officer for Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Prior to Colin’s employment with FENZ, he had spent 17 years with the New Zealand Police as a Senior Scene of Crime Officer.
Peter Gallagher | Board Member
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Peter has been involved in fire investigation in the public sector for well over thirty years and is currently a Senior Manager at Fire and Emergency New Zealand, based within the National Headquarters in Wellington.
Russell Joseph | Board Member
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Russell is the Managing Director of Corporate Risks Limited, and specialises in complex, large, commercial, litigious and multi-agency investigations. Russell has 19 years experience in the New Zealand Police, and a further 20+ years experience within the private sector fire investigation industry.
Murray Milne-Maresca | Board Member
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Murray is a Senior Risk Reduction Officer for Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Murray has a military background with 41 years in the industry in both an operational and training role and holds a wealth of knowledge across the board.
Brad Joseph | Board Member
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Brad is a Specialist Forensic Fire Investigator who has undergone extensive in-field training (over a period exceeding eight years) in tandem with completing A Master’s Degree in this specialist area. Brad has over 10 years experience in the private sector, carrying out in depth fire Origin and Cause examinations.
Frankie Noble | Board Member
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Frankie is a Risk Reduction Advisor for Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) based in Hamilton. Frankie has spent over 5 years in the Fire and Emergency industry, with experience as a private fire investigator before joining FENZ as a Risk Reduction Advisor.
NZAFI Representatives
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Ken Legat | President
—
Ken has over ten years experience in the insurance industry as a Fire Origin and Cause Investigator, and over 33 years experience in the New Zealand Police. He owns Fire Investigation Services Ltd, a private company specialising in fire origin and cause investigations.
-
Mike Macklin | Vice-President
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Mike is a registered Electrical Inspector based in Christchurch and has over 30 years experience in industry. Mike and runs ElectriSAFE NZ Ltd, a company specialising in independent advice and reporting for all your electrical safety inspection and auditing needs.
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Bruce Irvine | Treasurer
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Bruce is a Senior Fire Risk Reduction Officer for Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Bruce has spent over 38 years in the Fire and Emergency industry in both an operational training, and advisory level, to senior level.
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Colin Melville | CFI & IAAI Chapter Liaison
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Colin is a Advisor Risk Reduction Officer for Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Prior to Colin’s employment with FENZ, he had spent 17 years with the New Zealand Police as a Senior Scene of Crime Officer.
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Peter Gallagher | Board Member
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Peter has been involved in fire investigation in the public sector for well over thirty years and is currently a Senior Manager at Fire and Emergency New Zealand, based within the National Headquarters in Wellington.
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Russell Joseph | Board Member
—
Russell is the Managing Director of Corporate Risks Limited, and specialises in complex, large, commercial, litigious and multi-agency investigations. Russell has 19 years experience in the New Zealand Police, and a further 20+ years experience within the private sector fire investigation industry.
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Frankie Noble | Board Member
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Frankie is a Risk Reduction Advisor for Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) based in Hamilton. Frankie has spent over 5 years in the Fire and Emergency industry, with experience as a private fire investigator before joining FENZ as a Risk Reduction Advisor.
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Brad Joseph | Board Member
—
Brad is a Specialist Forensic Fire Investigator who has undergone extensive in-field training (over a period exceeding eight years) in tandem with completing A Master’s Degree in this specialist area. Brad has over 10 years experience in the private sector, carrying out in depth fire Origin and Cause examinations.
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Murray Milne-Maresca | Board Member
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Murray is a Senior Risk Reduction Officer for Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Murray has a military background with 41 years in the industry in both an operational and training role and holds a wealth of knowledge across the board.
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