Fire Region 2 is a large and diverse region with a high number of Volunteer and Auxiliary brigades (66) as well as 10 Career Brigades with 8 composite units attached. The Region is serviced by an office in each of the five Areas and a Region Office in Tauranga.

Region 2 presents a diverse risk profile in terms of it's geographic size, changing demographics, industrial growth and natural environmental risks. The geographical size covers approximately 65,000 square kilometres extending from the east to the west coast of central North Island. The mountainous terrain, extensive pine forests, native bush and large rural areas present logistical challenges in servicing and communicating to our many rural and more isolated fire brigades and communities. Other challenges faced by size and logistics include working with the large number of territorial authorities(17 within the region) and iwi groups. Around 694,000 people live in the region with 168,789 identified as Maori . Not only is this the largest population concentration of Maori in New Zealand, there are proportionately more Maori children aged 0 - 15 years (13%) than there are of European descent (8%).

Region 2 has three rapidly growing and developing cities. The growth rate of Tauranga is one of the highest in New Zealand. There are also a large number of transient and immigrant people involved in seasonal work and living in temporary accommodation. The high number of visitors who enter our major centres such as Rotorua, Taupo and Coromandel also impact on our services, accommodation and roading systems. Our large forestry, agricultural industry and associated services are critical to our economic and social infrastructure. Mount Maunganui seaport is the main export/import route and bulk storage location for most of our products such as flammable fuels, chemicals, coal and timber.