Fire and Emergency New Zealand chief executive Kerry Gregory has resigned with immediate effect after Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden publicly declared she had lost confidence in him.

His departure follows mounting scrutiny of the organisation’s leadership, including a parliamentary inquiry which exposed serious problems with its fire truck fleet and repeated failures to provide MPs with accurate information.

Gregory and other senior executives struggled to answer basic questions during appearances before Parliament’s Governance and Administration Committee, including questions about the condition, availability and management of fire appliances.

The committee became increasingly frustrated after receiving contradictory information about 30 new fire trucks purchased in 2019.

At various stages, Fire and Emergency gave different figures about how many of the appliances were operational, before confirming none had entered service during the inquiry.

During a committee hearing, National MP Melissa Lee challenged Gregory over the organisation’s decision to spend $90,000 on outside consultants and legal assistance to help answer questions about its own operations.

Gregory acknowledged the organisation should have had the information readily available.

The leadership controversy intensified on September 17 when van Velden publicly withdrew her confidence in Gregory, accusing him of withholding significant information from her for a year.

The Minister described his conduct as a serious breach of trust, saying he had failed to disclose information despite receiving external advice that she should have been informed.

The matter related to Fire and Emergency’s administration of its levy scheme and was referred to the Serious Fraud Office.

Fire and Emergency subsequently clarified that Gregory himself had not been referred to the Serious Fraud Office.

Gregory had been on extended leave while the board considered his future.

Fire and Emergency Board Chair Raveen Jaduram confirmed his resignation on Friday.

“Mr Gregory says that, in the light of the Minister of Internal Affairs’ recent public statement that she did not have confidence in him, it has become untenable for him to remain in his role.”

Gregory was appointed chief executive in 2022 and had been reappointed for a further two years, with his contract originally due to run until June 2027.

His departure ends a 36 year career with the organisation and its predecessors, including many years as an operational firefighter.

“The Board wishes to acknowledge and thank Mr Gregory for his 36 years of dedicated service, including a very lengthy period as an operational firefighter, and wishes him well for the future,” Jaduram said.

Darryl Purdy remains acting chief executive, while Megan Stiffler continues as National Commander.