New Zealand Fire Service management have banned any on duty staff members from attending or participating in 9/11 remembrance services.
The fire service has traditionally held a number of events around the country to pay tribute to their fallen New York counterparts.
Management says the stance taken is unfortunate but hopes officers pay their respects in their own way.
Northern branch manager Michael Powell says the decision comes down to the industrial breakdown in current wage negotiations.
Appliances cannot go off-station without approval. A request was made to regional management for an appliance to attend a remembrance ceremony, but the request was initially denied.
It was eventually approved but appliances were no longer available.
3 News