Contents
- New BOP Regional Council Bylaw Bans Fires Near a Neighbouring Dwelling
- Current Fire Season
- Authorised Fire Types
- All-Year Restrictions
- Fire Risks and FENZ
- Unkempt Sections/Hoarding/Vermin
The New BOP Regional Council Bylaw Bans Fires Near a Neighbouring Dwelling
Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) regulates open burning in the Kawerau area. For more information or to check the rules contact BOPRC on 0800 884 880 or refer to their Outdoor burning page.
Check out this quick guide for essential outdoor burning rules.
If you want to have an open fire on a rural property, you will need to check whether you need a fire permit from Fire & Emergency NZ - see www.checkitsalright.nz
Open Fire Season - now in place
An Open fire season is now in place across the Eastern Bay of Plenty Region.
Visit the Fire Permits page to apply for a permit and for advice on backyard fires.
Authorised Fire Types
The following Approved Fire Types do not require a permit during Restricted or Prohibited Fires Seasons, provided that your fire meets the conditions that apply in each case, and are exemptions under the BOPRC Fires Bylaw. The conditions can be found on the CheckItsAlright website (use the links at the bottom of the page you land on).
- Gas or charcoal BBQ’s,
- Cultural fires,
- Braziers or Chiminea
- Wood-fired pizza ovens.
All-Year Restrictions
There are some locations where fires remain prohibited or restricted all year round.
- Prohibited – Mauo/Papamoa (365 days)
- Restricted – Matakana Island (365 days)
- Restricted – Department of Conservation Land (365 days)
Fires within the urban boundaries must still comply with City/District Council and Regional Council requirements/bylaws.
From July 2020, nearly all fires, urban or rural, must comply with the new BOP Regional Council bylaw banning nearly all first within 100 metres of neighbouring dwellings. The only routine exceptions are cultural and recreational fires.
For further information, visit the Check it’s alright before you light website, or phone 0800 658 628
Fire Risks including overgrown Sections
As from 1st July 2018 Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) will now deal with Fire Risks. This includes overgrown sections. If your concern is a Fire Risk, you can let Fire and Emergency New Zealand know about your concern by calling 0800 336 942 or email to firehazards@fireandemergency.nz
Unkempt Sections/Hoarding/Vermin
If there's a property in your neighbourhood that you believe is a Health or Safety hazard due to an unkempt section, you might first try talking to the property owner.
If this does not resolve the problem, contact Council 07 306 9009 to report a concern that does not present a fire risk, such as a hoarding, and other nuisance issues including vermin control.