No fire permit is needed to light a fire in open air. However you still need to exercise caution, check the weather and be well prepared before lighting. Depending on the fire season and type of fire you want, you may need to apply for a fire permit at checkitsalright.nz. If you get a permit, you must comply with all its conditions.
Check the fire seasons and fire weather to find out if it’s safe to light a fire, visit checkitsalright.nz/assess-the-risk.
For more information about Fires and Fire Seasons visit fireandemergency.nz/fire-seasons-permits/.
When the fire danger becomes very high during summer, a prohibited fire season (total fire ban) may be put in place.
See checkitsalright.nz for types of fire which have been authorised as not being fires in open air and do not need a permit.
Refer to the Prevention of Nuisance from Fires and Smoke Bylaw(PDF, 385KB)
For more information about urban fire restrictions please contact us on (04) 527 2169 or the Upper Hutt Fire Station on (04) 528 2088, alternatively visit the FENZ website at fireandemergency.nz
Lighting a fire safely
- attend the fire at all times
- locate the fire away from buildings, trees and fences
- have a means to extinguish fire
- don’t cause a smoke nuisance
- contact fire control by phone on (04) 801 0812 – before you light any fire
The law for Wellington has changed. We now run an open fire season in the general Wellington area, when you can have a fire without a permit in rural areas. Previously a fire permit was required for any open fire.
For general fire information please visit – fireandemergency.nz
To check the season status in an area:
Contact the Wellington Rural Fire Authority for fire permit enquiries on 0800 658 628 or email firepermit.enquiries@fireandemergency.nz
All Upper Hutt rural fire matters are now managed and administered by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). Go to fireandemergency.nz for updates and information about the new amalgamated organisation.
Fire and Emergency NZ’s Principal Rural Fire Officer for Wellington manages and administers the Upper Hutt Rural Fire District; they are responsible for reviewing and updating the Rural Fire Plan every two years.
The fire plan is a statement of fire control policy, chain of command and procedures by Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Legislation requires all FENZ delegates to have an operational fire plan.
Rural smoke complaints should be reported to Greater Wellington Regional Council on 0800 496 734.
Urban Smoke complaints should be reported to Upper Hutt City Council on 04 5272169 refer to the Prevention of nuisance from fires and smoke Bylaw(PDF, 173KB)
For more information, visit the Greater Wellington Regional Council website.