Fires

Fire restrictions | Complaints and fire emergencies | Alternatives for rubbish disposal

Fire restrictions

Backyard fires
Outdoor cooking and heating
Commercial and industrial fires
Fires in public places

Backyard fires

Auckland and urban Waiheke

Outdoor burning and the use of single chamber incinerators are a major source of pollution in the Auckland region. When materials are burnt in the open or in backyard incinerators the fire is not hot enough, and does not have sufficient oxygen, to destroy air pollutants.

As well as producing harmful pollutants, open fires and fires in unapproved incinerators can at best be a real nuisance to neighbours (odour, smoke, ash, and soiling of surfaces). At worst they are dangerous to property and people.

Auckland Regional Council rules mean that in most situations the outdoor burning of rubbish and garden waste in urban areas is an offence, even if it is in an incinerator.

Great Barrier Island and rural Waiheke

In rural areas of Waiheke, you must have a fire permit to light a fire on your property and you will need to extinguish the fire by 4.00pm while there is still enough light to monitor it. Contact us for more information.

Fires are restricted on Great Barrier Island all year round. If you wish to light any type of fire you must apply for a fire permit. These are issued free of charge from the Great Barrier Island service centre.

Outdoor cooking and heating

Outdoor fires for heating or cooking like hangis or brazier fires are allowed, but must be in conditions where any smoke, ash or other discharge to air is not a nuisance to neighbours or noxious. These fires can generally be burned without further permission with the exception of hangis and umus on Waiheke or Great Barrier islands. You will need a permit in these areas, these are issued free of charge. Contact us for more information.

You do not require permission for a hangi or umu within the Auckland isthmus.

To ensure that everyone can enjoy a safe summer we recommend that you

have a garden hose handy in case of emergencies
keep matches and lighters out of children's reach
develop and practise household escape plans with your family or flatmates
isolate flammable liquids
let your neighbours know if you're having a hangi, umu or barbeque
be cautious with candles and mosquito coils
do not throw cigarette butts or matches into vegetation
use dry wood and paper only for lighting the fire - rubbish is not acceptable
have the Hangi or Umu at least three metres from any boundary or building to minimise smoke nuisance and decrease fire risk

To help make your hangi or umu a success you will also need to consider the following

part 3.6 of Auckland City's Consolidated Bylaw requires that no animals used for the hangi, umu or barbeque be killed or gutted on site
remove rubbish from the site immediately afterwards and dispose of it carefully.
store leftover food scraps in a container/bin with a cover until rubbish day.
do not bury meat or vegetable scraps as this could attract rats and dogs both of which carry infectious diseases

Commercial and industrial fires

A number of trade and industrial processes create discharge into the air and may require consent or permission from Auckland Regional Council. More information about the rules for trade and industrial discharges into the air and the burning of waste is available by visiting Auckland Regional Council's website www.arc.govt.nz/environment/air/

The fine for an illegal fire for trade or industrial premise is $1000.00. Fines can be issued by either Auckland Regional Council or Auckland City.

Fires in public places

It is illegal to have a fire in any public place in Auckland City, including beaches, parks, reserves and forests. This rule also applies to the Hauraki Gulf islands where people often mistakenly believe fires are safe.