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Rules for outdoor fires

Rules for outdoor fires in residential or business areas

You cannot light outdoor fires in Auckland's urban area. This includes all residential and business land. If you are unsure if your property is urban or rural, check your address.

Provided you meet general fire safety conditions, you can use a small heating or cooking fire, such as:

gas or solid fuel barbecue
pizza oven
brazier
outdoor fireplace
hāngi or umu.

You cannot burn rubbish or garden waste, and there are other restrictions as well. See Pizza ovens and small heating or cooking fires.

Rules for outdoor fires on public land

It is illegal to light open fires or discharge fireworks in all public areas in the Auckland region, including:

beaches (including foreshores)
parks
conservation areas
forests.

The only exceptions to this rule is gas fuel barbecues or dedicated barbecue facilities within regional parks.

Rules for outdoor fires on Hauraki Gulf islands

Fire is a serious threat to the Hauraki Gulf islands.

All islands of the Hauraki Gulf are in a Prohibited Fire Season (total fire ban).

Only gas fueled outdoor fires are allowed.

Why we have outdoor fire rules

Protect people and communities from fire.
Protect Auckland's air quality
Prevent unnecessary emergency fire calls.

If a fire gets out of control

If a fire escapes or gets out of control, under new legislation we can seek cost recovery from the person responsible. Some people have been billed up to $2 million.

If you can't control it, don't light it.