New Zealand’s 1800 professional firefighters are striking today, but union goals of an 8.9 per cent pay raise are unaffordable according to the New Zealand Fire Service.

The strike action will mean the service will still help out in emergencies but won’t be doing any paperwork.

Their union is trying to negotiate a raise worth $19m, but the Fire Service says they can only afford a 2.5 raise, 6.4 per cent less than the service is looking for.

Talks between the two sides ended in July this year after long negotiations.

A court has ruled that the strike action is legal.

Both sides will not move on their offer but are open to the other putting up a better deal.

They will meet every two weeks until a decision is reached.