On 16 May 2023, a devastating fire broke out at Loafers Lodge, a multi-storey boarding house in Wellington, New Zealand, resulting in the deaths of five residents. The incident triggered a comprehensive investigation by New Zealand Police, focusing not only on the suspected arson but also on the state of the building’s fire safety systems and the management’s compliance with statutory obligations. Two years later, in June 2025, police charged three people in management positions with manslaughter, alleging that their failure to meet fire safety obligations contributed to the fatal outcome.

The charges against the managers highlight the critical importance of compliance with fire safety regulations. The investigation revealed that non-compliance with key requirements—such as maintaining fire safety systems, ensuring clear evacuation routes, and upholding building warrants of fitness—can have catastrophic consequences, both in terms of human life and legal liability

Following the tragedy, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) conducted a nationwide assessment of similar high-risk buildings. The findings were alarming: 37 boarding houses were identified as non-compliant with fire safety regulations, lacking adequate systems and failing to meet building warrant of fitness (BWoF) standards. The government has since initiated a review of the Building Code’s fire safety provisions, underscoring the need for robust, modern regulations to prevent future tragedies

The Loafers Lodge fire is a stark warning for all building operators, including those responsible for Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres. ECE centres, like boarding houses, are required by law to comply with stringent fire safety and evacuation regulations to protect vulnerable occupants—children in this case—who may be less able to respond in an emergency.