$18K fine for unauthorised burn off

In May 2023, Fire and Emergency NZ filed a charge against an individual in Southland for knowingly lighting a fire in a prohibited season. This is the first prosecution for the organisation under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017.

On 6 June, the Defendant pleaded guilty and was fined $18,000. A $500 contribution towards prosecution costs was also ordered.

This outcome supports Fire and Emergency’s efforts in upholding fire season requirements to reduce risk to our communities, our people and the environment, and reflects our commitment to our regulatory compliance responsibilities to deal with cases of non-compliance. While our primary focus is on reducing risk through education and targeting unwanted behaviour, Fire and Emergency will escalate to enforcement activity where appropriate.

We ask everyone who is planning to light a fire outdoors to follow our advice on checkitsalright.nz and heed any fire season conditions or restrictions. It is the best way to keep our communities and our environment safe from unwanted fires.