Backyard burning in Whangārei airshed boundaries

The Whangārei airshed boundary includes most of: Kamo, Tikipunga, Morningside, Central Whangārei, Otangarei, Raumanga, Maunu and Onerahi areas.

You must ensure that you do not cause a smoke or odour nuisance outside your boundary.

Outdoor burning is only allowed on properties one hectare or bigger

  • Outdoor burning is only allowed on properties one hectare or bigger
  • You are only allowed to burn untreated wood, paper, cardboard, or vegetation 
  • You must ensure that you do not cause a smoke or odour nuisance outside your boundary
  • Choose the best weather conditions to avoid smoke nuisance
  • You must not burn during June, July or August in the Whangārei airshed boundary when air quality could be a problem.
  • Dispose of your waste through council’s roadside collection 
  • Recycle plastics, paper, glass and tins by placing them in your recycling bin, or taking them to your local recycling centre
  • Compost your garden waste - including clippings, trimmings, small branches and leaves
  • Take larger quantities of refuse to a transfer station for disposal.

Burning for cooking - including BBQ, hangi or umu - is permitted, along with wood fired kiln and in some cases community bonfires, but you must not cause smoke or odour nuisance outside of your boundaries.

Our Proposed Regional Plan says what you can and what you can’t burn, what needs a resource consent and what is prohibited.

Go to the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland and information

Penalties

Those found breaching regional rules may face enforcement action and this can include being issued with an instant fine of up to $1,000.