09-08-2025
Let's Clear The Air On Outdoor Burning Rules
Environment Canterbury is reminding residents across Waitaha Canterbury to follow the rules around outdoor burning, with the regional council responding to hundreds of complaints across the region every year. There have been 27 complaints received in Christchurch city in July alone.
As the weather warms and spring approaches, many people start preparing to burn garden or crop waste. But burning without understanding the rules can cause issues for neighbours, worsen air quality, and lead to enforcement action or fines.
Steps for planning an outdoor burn
1. Consider other options such as composting, mulching or recycling. 2. Identify your property size: under or over 2 hectares.
3. If you're in a Clean Air Zone, check seasonal restrictions.
4. Check the fire season status at .
5. If your burning is in the hill and high country, check the requirements for prior notification and specific conditions.
6. If burning is allowed, make sure you follow the rules around distance, dryness, timing, material and accelerant.
7. Resource consent may be required for outdoor burning that doesn't comply with the rules.
Who can burn – and what you can burn
• Properties under two hectares (20,000 m²):
Outdoor burning is not allowed, even in rural areas. That means no garden waste and no backyard fires. The only exception: outdoor cooking like BBQs, pizza ovens, hāngī or umu – and even then, you must ensure the smoke does not travel beyond your property boundary. Breaking this rule can lead to a fine and enforcement costs.
• Properties over two hectares:
You may burn dry vegetation, paper, cardboard, and untreated wood from your own land or a neighbouring property. All burning must meet specific conditions.
Seasonal restrictions in Clean Air Zones
If your property is in a Clean Air Zone where there are stricter air quality rules – such as Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Ashburton, Timaru, Waimate, or Geraldine – burning is only permitted during the warmer months, specifically from 1 September to 30 April. Outdoor burning is not permitted outside of these dates.
Always check fire season status
Environment Canterbury rules sit alongside Fire & Emergency New Zealand's fire seasons and permit requirements. Before lighting any outdoor fire, head to to see if your fire is allowed on that day. Even if permitted under our rules, it may still be restricted under fire season conditions.
Safe burning tips
There are some great alternatives to burning, including mulching or composting, using kerbside green bins or taking waste to your local transfer station. Farm plastics can be recycled via Plasback or AgRecovery.
If you meet the burning rules and choose to burn:
• Use ideal weather – cloudy days and light winds help disperse smoke. • Burn smaller piles that are well-aerated for cleaner, faster burning.
• Don't burn stumps with dirt – dirt can create poor airflow, leading to inefficient, smoky fires.
• Finish burning before nightfall – cool air traps smoke close to the ground.
• Fully extinguish the fire afterward – spread ash, douse with water, don't assume it's out.
What to do if smoke's causing a problem
If you see smoke beyond what's expected, please report it. Use the 24-hour Environment Canterbury incident line 0800 765 588 or our other reporting options so Environment Canterbury can investigate.
