Outdoor burning can affect air quality, health and nearby properties. We have rules in place to reduce smoke and other nuisance effects. Fires must not cause a nuisance through smoke, odour, ash or toxic fumes.
Fire emergency - for immediate danger to people or property, call 111
Fire restrictions, bans and permits
Before lighting any outdoor fire, you must check whether fire restrictions or bans are in place.
At certain times of the year, fires may be restricted or not allowed at all. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) manages fire seasons and fire permits nationwide.
Before you light a fire visit FENZ's website to check:
- whether it’s safe to light a fire at your location
- whether a fire permit is required
No matter what the fire season is and whether or not you have a permit, you must still follow all Council rules around smoke nuisance and prohibited materials.
Rules for open and backyard fires
The Tairāwhiti Resource Management Plan (TRMP) includes rules to help manage smoke and protect air quality from outdoor and backyard fires.
Smoke and air pollution
When you light a fire, it must not release offensive or objectionable smoke, odour, ash or other airborne material. Smoke must not be excessive or cause a nuisance to others.
Backyard incinerators
If you use a backyard incinerator, it must:
- be at least 5 metres from a boundary
- be no larger than 200 litres (about a 44‑gallon drum)
- have a lid and spark arrestor
- be made from fire‑resistant materials
- have proper airflow
- allow ashes and waste to be removed safely
Open fires and fire pits
- must be at least 50 metres from any building
- must not burn more than 100 cubic metres of vegetation in a 24‑hour period
- must not burn vegetation that releases toxic contaminants
- should be put out as soon as practicable to reduce smoke
Industrial and trade premises
Outdoor burning at industrial or trade premises requires a resource consent.
What you can and can’t burn
✅You may burn:
- paper
- cardboard
- dry vegetation or green waste
- untreated wood
❌You must not burn:
Burning prohibited materials creates harmful smoke and is not allowed.
- animal waste
- rubber, including tyres and foam rubber
- treated timber, plywood, chipboard or fibreboard
- oil or fuel products
- food waste
- chemicals, including garden and agricultural sprays
- plastics, including disposable nappies
- paints, varnishes, glues, adhesives or coatings
How to reduce smoke from outdoor burning
Smoky fires are one of the most common reasons people make complaints. You can reduce smoke and avoid issues by:
- Only burning dry material
- Waiting until there have been a few fine days before burning
- Avoiding windy conditions, as smoke and ash can travel further
- Building fires to allow airflow, so material burns hotter and cleaner
- Avoiding calm, cold conditions, such as early morning or evening
- Keeping fires well clear of homes, roads and boundaries
- Checking fire conditions before lighting any fire
If smoke begins to linger or drift toward neighbours, put the fire out.
Quick checklist before you light a fire
Before lighting a fire, make sure:
✅ your fire is more than 5 metres from a neighbouring boundary
✅ you’ve checked the wind and weather forecast
✅ you’ve let neighbours know about your planned fire
✅ you’ve checked the Fire and Emergency New Zealand website to confirm you’re allowed to light a fire and whether you need a permit.
Check our district's fire weather data
Outdoor burning complaints and enforcement
If smoke or odour is affecting you or your property, our Compliance team will respond to complaints.
Phone 0800 653 800 - available 24/7
Enforcement action may be taken where the rules are not followed.