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Outdoor fires

Overview

Outdoor rubbish fires

Most local councils have bylaws dealing with outdoor rubbish fires, including incinerators, for safety reasons and to control pollution. Bylaws may:

  • ban outdoor fires and incinerators
  • require the person setting the fire to have a council or Fire Service permit
  • restrict outdoor fires to certain areas or times of the year
  • require that a hose is available that is connected to a pressurised water supply
  • require outdoor fires to be set a certain distance away from buildings, trees or fences
  • ban fires at night
  • require steps to be taken to minimise smoke.

What about outdoor cooking?

Outdoor fires for cooking, such as hāngī, umu and barbecues, are usually allowed at any time, so long as you take proper fire safety precautions. However, there may sometimes be specific restrictions (for example, during a dry summer).

Because the rules can vary from district to district and can also depend on the weather, it’s a good idea to check with the local council or fire service about specific restrictions.

Next Section | Trespassing

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Neighbourhood life

Where to go for more support

General information about neighbourhood issues

Community Law

Your local Community Law Centre can provide you with free initial legal advice.

Find your local Community Law Centre online: www.communitylaw.org.nz/our-law-centres

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

CAB provides free, confidential and independent information and advice. Your local CAB may be able to help you work your way through a problem with your neighbour.

Website: www.cab.org.nz
Phone: 0800 367 222
Facebook: www.facebook.com/citizensadvicenz

Find your local CAB office: www.cab.org.nz/find-a-cab

Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ provides information on a range of neighbourhood problems.

Website: www.consumer.org.nz/search?query=neighbours
Email: info@consumer.org.nz
Phone: 0800 266 786

Help in Wellington

Downtown Community Ministry (DCM) is the leading social service in Wellington working with people who are experiencing homelessness – in particular, those who are rough sleeping or without shelter.

Website: www.dcm.org.nz
Email: office@dcm.org.nz
Phone: 0800 119 689

Support in Christchurch

The Christchurch City Mission provides emergency beds to people in Christchurch that have nowhere else to go. They also have Whakaora Kāinga transitional housing, which provides communal transitional living.

Website: www.citymission.org.nz/homelessness-and-housing
Email: info@citymission.org.nz
Phone: 0800 787 855
Whakaora Kāinga: www.citymission.org.nz/whakaora-kainga-transitional-housing

Support in Dunedin

Dunedin Night Shelter provides emergency accommodation and a transitional housing programme in Dunedin.

Website: www.dunedinnightshelter.co.nz
Email: info@dunedinnightshelter
Phone: 0800 745 569

Also available as a book

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