Let's clear the air on outdoor burning rules

As the warmth of spring approaches, many Cantabrians begin clearing their gardens or fields, often by burning waste. Each year, we receive hundreds of complaints about outdoor burning from across Waitaha Canterbury.

If you are planning an outdoor burn, there are important rules you need to follow — ignoring them can be a nuisance for neighbours, affect air quality, or even cost you in fines or enforcement action.

Consider alternatives first

There are some great alternatives to burning, including mulching, composting, using kerbside green bins, or taking waste to your local transfer station. Farm plastics can be recycled via Plasback or AgRecovery.

Identify your property size

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.

Check if you're in a Clean Air Zone

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.

Check the fire season status

Our rules sit alongside Fire & Emergency New Zealand’s fire seasons and permit requirements. Before lighting any outdoor fire, head to checkitsalright.nz 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.

Follow location-specific requirements

If your burning is in the hill and high country, check the requirements for prior notification and specific conditions.

A resource consent may be required for outdoor burning that doesn't comply with the rules.

Burn safely

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 and douse with water.

If you see smoke beyond what’s expected, please report it. Use our 24-hour incident line on 0800 765 588 or our other reporting options so our team can investigate.