NZ Wood Burner Rules by Region

New Zealand councils each set their own rules for wood burners and open fires. Emission limits, clean air zones, subsidies, and phase-out dates vary significantly from region to region. Find the rules that apply to your area below.

Auckland

Auckland Council

< 1.5 g/kg

Auckland requires 1.5 g/kg emission limits and a specific Unitary Plan consent process for wood burner installations. Open fires cannot be installed in urban Auckland.

Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty Regional Council

< 1.5 g/kg

Bay of Plenty follows the 1.5 g/kg standard. Rotorua has specific air quality concerns due to its valley geography and geothermal activity, with restrictions on open fires.

Canterbury

Environment Canterbury

< 1 g/kgUp to $5,000 subsidy

Canterbury has NZ's strictest wood burner rules with 8 clean air zones, a 1.0 g/kg emission limit, subsidies up to $5,000, and a 2027 deadline to replace all pre-2005 burners.

Gisborne/Tairawhiti

Gisborne District Council

< 1.5 g/kg

Gisborne follows the 1.5 g/kg national standard. As a unitary authority, Gisborne District Council handles both regional and district consent requirements for wood burner installations.

Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay Regional Council

< 1.5 g/kg

Hawke's Bay follows the 1.5 g/kg national standard. Open fires are banned on properties under 2 hectares in Airshed 1 (Napier and Hastings urban areas).

Manawatū-Whanganui

Horizons Regional Council

< 1.5 g/kg

Manawatu-Whanganui follows the 1.5 g/kg national standard under Horizons Regional Council. Building consent and dry firewood use are required across the region.

Marlborough

Marlborough District Council

< 1.5 g/kg

Marlborough follows the 1.5 g/kg national standard. Blenheim has specific air quality monitoring due to winter temperature inversions in the Wairau Valley.

Nelson/Tasman

Nelson City Council / Tasman District Council

< 1 g/kgUp to $3,000 subsidy

Nelson/Tasman requires wood burners to meet a 1.0 g/kg emission limit within the Nelson airshed, bans firewood over 25% moisture, and offers up to $3,000 for burner replacements.

Northland

Northland Regional Council

< 1.5 g/kg

Northland follows the 1.5 g/kg national standard. The region's milder climate means less intensive wood burner use, but consent and compliance requirements still apply.

Otago

Otago Regional Council

< 0.7 g/kgUp to $3,000 subsidy

Otago has NZ's tightest emission limit at 0.7 g/kg in Air Zone 1 (Alexandra, Arrowtown, Clyde, Cromwell). Other Otago areas follow the 1.5 g/kg national standard.

Selwyn/Canterbury

Selwyn District Council (within ECan)

< 1 g/kgUp to $5,000 subsidy

Selwyn District falls under ECan's 1.0 g/kg emission rules but has its own clean air zones covering Rolleston, Lincoln, West Melton, and Prebbleton. ECan subsidies of up to $5,000 apply.

Southland

Environment Southland

< 1.5 g/kg

Southland follows the 1.5 g/kg standard with open fire restrictions in Invercargill and Gore. Cold climate means heavy wood burner usage and annual sweeping is essential.

Taranaki

Taranaki Regional Council

< 1.5 g/kg

Taranaki follows the 1.5 g/kg national standard. Important: coastal driftwood must not be burned in wood burners as it releases toxic chlorine compounds and heavy metals.

Waikato

Waikato Regional Council

< 1.5 g/kg

Waikato follows the 1.5 g/kg national standard. Open fires are restricted in Hamilton urban area, and building consent is required for all new wood burner installations.

Wellington

Wellington City Council

< 1.5 g/kg

Wellington requires 1.5 g/kg emission limits, bans new open fires, and homeowners must check earthquake-damaged chimneys before use — especially in older villas and masonry buildings.

West Coast

West Coast Regional Council

< 1.5 g/kg

The West Coast follows the 1.5 g/kg national standard. Native beech is the primary local firewood, and the region's high rainfall makes proper firewood storage and seasoning essential.