Fire restrictions lifted in wider Wellington area

31 March 2025

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving Wellington, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley and Kapiti Coast into an open fire season from 8am on Monday 31 March, until further notice.

This means permits are no longer needed before lighting fires in these areas.

Community Risk Manager Phil Soal says there have been several wet weather events in the last couple of weeks, and temperatures generally are a lot cooler.

“This means that any wildfires that get started will move slower and be easier to control and extinguish,” he says.

“We are expecting more of the same weather for the foreseeable future, so we’re confident this is the right time to relax the fire restrictions in the Wellington district.

“However, although we’re heading back to an open season, there are places where vegetation is still very dry.

“We expect people lighting fires to check the conditions at their location first by going to checkitsalright.nz, and following the safety advice provided.”