Lighting an outdoor fire

Fire and Emergency New Zealand determines fire seasons, fire danger and issues fire permits. You can check what the season is and if there are any restrictions on their web page: fire seasons, fire danger and permits.

One of three types of fire season is in force at any time in an area or zone:

• open fire season
• restricted fire season
• prohibited fire season.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has a simple 3-step tool that tells you whether you can light your fire or do your outdoor work safely, what the fire risk is and what you should do to stay safe: Check it's alright

To light an outdoor fire on private property, you may need a fire permit.  Fires are not permitted in public places in Porirua.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand issues fire permits in New Zealand, not councils.

To find out more and apply for a permit, please check the Check Its Alright website or phone 0800 658 628.

Wellington Regional Council (formerly Greater Wellington Regional Council)

Wellington Regional Council is responsible for:

• fire restriction and bans within our regional parks, based on Fire and Emergency Restrictions
• air quality and pollution
• burning on industrial/ commercial property (requires resource consent).

Public conservation land is always in a restricted fire season, unless moving into a prohibited season in alignment with the surrounding land. This decision to move into or out of a prohibited fire season is made by Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Find out more

Wellington Regional Council is responsible for:

• fire restriction and bans within our regional parks, based on Fire and Emergency Restrictions
• air quality and pollution
• burning on industrial/ commercial property (requires resource consent).

Most people enjoy letting off fireworks, but you need to follow a few rules to make sure everyone stays safe around fireworks.

Organised fireworks displays

Permission to stage larger pyrotechnic displays is the responsibility of Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). The detail on the size, process and requirements for seeking a permit can be found on their website www.fireandemergency.nz. 

If a fireworks display is being held on Council land, the organizer would also need approval from the Council to use the land prior to seeking permission from Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Don't let off fireworks at the beach or in any of our parks or reserves.

If you're letting off fireworks in your backyard, remember these safety tips:

• Have a bucket of water or a hose ready.
• Use a torch to read the instructions on the fireworks before letting any off.
• Only let adults light fireworks.
• Aim fireworks only at the sky, and never at people, buildings or anything that could be set alight.
• If a firework doesn't go off, never try to relight it.
• Put your pets inside to keep them safe.

Take care that your flue is not positioned where a neighbour can be affected by your smoke.

When lighting a fire, make sure you:

• use enough kindling
• don't put too much firewood in at first
• stack wood loosely in the firebox so air can circulate
• always use dry wood.

Once alight, make sure you:

• keep the fire burning brightly
• keep the air control open for at least 30 minutes
• burn smaller logs rather than trying to burn a single, large log
• if you add logs, open up the air control to “high” for at least 20–30 minutes before turning down
• be careful not to block air supply to the base of the fire with a badly positioned log
• don't damp down the fire
• don’t burn rubbish in the fire.