Fire permit

You may need a permit to light a fire in the open. It depends on the fire season and where you live. 

Lighting a fire on a property in the city

• you cannot light an open rubbish fire if you have a neighbour within 50 metres
• a permit is required all-year round to light a fire in the open
• a permit is required all-year round for a hangi or umu - read more information
• a total fire ban applies in a prohibited fire season - no open air fires
• you cannot light an incinerator in a restricted or prohibited fire season
• no fires are allowed to burn after dark
• no bonfires

To check what the fire season is today

You can request a fire permit online

Lighting a fire on a rural property

You may need a permit to light a fire in the open. 

• It depends on the fire season and where you live  - check the current fire season
• Read or download Is your property at risk from fire? 

To check what the fire season is today

You can request a fire permit online

Using an incinerator

You are not allowed to light an incinerator in a Restricted or  Prohibited fire season.

If the season is open, you may only use an incinerator that is specifically designed and constructed.  Old drums are not suitable unless they have been specially adapted as an incinerator.

Your incinerator should have:

• a grate system to allow a free flow of air through the incinerator to aid burning
• a cover to contain the burning material 
• a spark catcher to prevent the escape of sparks and embers

Your incinerator must be more than 5 meters from the boundary, buildings or anything that could catch on fire.

Be a good neighbour

Consider your neighbours when lighting an incinerator or fire.  You must:  

• not light your incinerator in a restricted or prohibited fire season
• only burn during daylight hours - no fires are allowed after dusk or before dawn  
• only burn dry organic material - no green waste
• only light your incinerator occasional - do not burn every week or weekend
• under no circumstances burn plastic including disposable nappies
• consider your neighbours - do not burn when it's windy, or if they have washing on the line
• consider recycling, composting, mulching or Second-hand Sunday collections

Do you need a permit for a hangi or umu?  

If you live in an urban area a permit is required all-year round regardless of the fire season.   

If you live in a rural area a fire permit is required in a  Restricted fire season.  Check today's fire season.

A permit can take up to 3 working days to issue.

During a prohibited fire season, special circumstances can be excluded such as a tangi  or funeral, please check with us.

If you are selling your hangi, you also need a food stall permit.   For more information about selling hangi

Fire permit request - you can request a fire permit online

Fire danger or complaints

If there is immediate danger to people or property - ring 111

If there's no immediate danger to people or property - such as your neighbour is lighting their incinerator when you have washing on the line, please contact us or tell us on an eFix form