Wood Burner Replacement Subsidies NZ — 2026 Council Schemes

Every NZ council's wood burner replacement subsidy scheme — eligibility, amounts, application process, and which models qualify. Up to $5,000 available in 2026.

Quick Answer

NZ regional councils with restricted airsheds run subsidy schemes to replace pre-2005 wood burners with ULEBs. Top schemes 2026: Environment Canterbury (ECan) up to $5,000, Otago Regional Council up to $4,000, Bay of Plenty up to $4,500, Auckland Council up to $3,000, Nelson up to $3,500. Most are time-limited and budget-capped — check current funding before scheduling.

Key Answers

Which NZ councils offer wood burner replacement subsidies?: ECan (Canterbury), ORC (Otago), Auckland Council, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Tasman, West Coast, and Hutt City all run replacement subsidy schemes for properties in restricted airsheds. Wellington, Waikato, and Northland do not — outside airshed boundaries the national emission standard applies without subsidy.
What's the highest subsidy amount in NZ?: ECan (Environment Canterbury) up to $5,000. The amount varies based on burner age, household income, and which compliant burner you replace it with — typically $2,500-$5,000. Application process takes 2-4 weeks. Funding refreshes annually around July.
What burner do I have to replace it with?: A ULEB-approved model from the NZHHA list. Some councils also accept conversion to alternative heating (heat pumps, gas, pellet) — but the subsidy amount may differ. Check council specifics: ECan favours ULEB; ORC accepts ULEB or alternative heating equally.
Am I eligible for a subsidy?: Eligibility requires: a property in a restricted airshed, a pre-2005 wood burner currently installed, willingness to replace with a council-approved compliant burner, and (in some councils) income testing. Check your council's current eligibility before assuming you qualify.
How do I apply?: Most councils: online application, documentation of current burner, quote for replacement burner from approved installer, then approval (2-4 weeks). Some councils pay direct grants; others discount via approved installers. Don't pay for or install a new burner before approval.

Key Takeaways

Up to $5,000 available in Canterbury (ECan), $4,000-$4,500 in Otago/BOP
Eligible properties: pre-2005 burner in restricted airshed
Replacement burner must be NZHHA ULEB-approved
Apply BEFORE installing — subsidies are not retroactive
Funding is time-limited and budget-capped — check current windows

How long does the ECan subsidy approval take?

Typically 2-4 weeks from complete application to approval.

Typically 2-4 weeks from complete application to approval. Faster if your installer is already pre-approved by ECan; slower in winter peak demand.

Can I combine the subsidy with a council loan?

Some councils offer 'targeted rates' loans for the difference between the subsidy and the install cost — paid back over 5-10 years on your rates bill.

Some councils offer 'targeted rates' loans for the difference between the subsidy and the install cost — paid back over 5-10 years on your rates bill. Auckland, ECan, and parts of Wellington run such schemes.

What if my burner is post-2005 but still non-compliant?

Most subsidies target pre-2005 burners specifically.

Most subsidies target pre-2005 burners specifically. Some councils extend to 2005-2010 burners that were below 1.5g/kg-grandfathered but no longer meet current standards. Check your council's specific cutoff.

Can I install a heat pump instead?

ORC, Auckland, and some other councils accept heat pump conversion within the subsidy.

ORC, Auckland, and some other councils accept heat pump conversion within the subsidy. ECan currently focuses on ULEB replacement only. Heat pump conversion eligibility varies — verify with your council.

What about insurance during the changeover?

Notify your insurer of the burner change once installation is complete.

Notify your insurer of the burner change once installation is complete. Most insurers update the policy automatically; some adjust the premium (newer burner = lower fire risk = sometimes a small discount).

Are subsidies taxed?

Government grants for residential fixed-improvements are generally not taxable income for owner-occupiers.

Government grants for residential fixed-improvements are generally not taxable income for owner-occupiers. For rental properties, the subsidy may reduce the depreciable basis of the chimney installation. Check with your accountant for rental properties.

Frequently Asked Questions