Find out the home heating rules for Rangiora and Kaiapoi, and what types of heating you can use in your home.
Kaiapoi and Rangiora Clean Air Zones 1 - Existing home with open fire, woodburner or other solid fuel burner
Existing heating
You are only allowed to use dry wood with a moisture content of less than 25%, paper and cardboard. You can get the moisture content of firewood tested for free at Environment Canterbury's Christchurch office (all year), the Waimakariri District Council and the Kaiapoi service centre (winter only).
Open fires
- The use of open fires without a resource consent will be banned in Kaiapoi from May 2010 or after the sale of a house, whichever comes first. From that date, all reports of smoky chimneys will be investigated but after May 2011, anyone using an open fire risks a $300 fine.
- A similar rule has been proposed for Rangiora but is currently (November 2009) subject to an appeals process.
Burners not listed on our approved burners list
- These burners are banned from use without a resource consent in Kaiapoi from May 2010 or after the sale of a house, whichever comes first. From that date, all reports of smoky chimneys will be investigated but after May 2011, anyone using one of these solid fuel burners risks a $300 fine.
- A similar rule has been proposed for Rangiora but is currently (November 2009) subject to an appeals process.
Burners on our approved burners list
- These burners will need to be replaced or will require a resource consent for their use 15 years after their installation. This rule will apply from May 2010 in Kaiapoi. This rule is only proposed for Rangiora at present and doesn't yet apply.
Replacement heating
The rules on replacement heating apply now.
No resource consent necessary:
- Heat pump
- Nightstore heater
- Fixed-flued gas or liquid fuel (including oil and diesel) heater.
- Pellet fire listed on our approved burners list.
- Low-emission woodburner listed on our approved burners list. These burners may need to be replaced or get a resource consent 15 years after the date of installation.
Resource consent necessary:
- Any pellet fire not listed on our approved burners list
- Any new multi-fuel burner
- Any new coal burner
- Any new open fire
You cannot install:
Clean Heat Project
If you live in the Rangiora or Kaiapoi Clean Heat Zone and if you use an open fire, woodburner or other solid fuel burner as your main form of heating in your main living area, you may qualify for an interest-free loan for an approved clean heat appliance and insulation through the Clean Heat Project . Conditions apply.
Building consent
Most burners with a flue, such as all woodburners and pellet fires (but not flued gas heaters), will need a building consent from the Waimakariri District Council.
Kaiapoi and Rangiora Clean Air Zones 1 - Homes without an open fire, woodburner or other solid fuel burner (including new homes and extensions)
Replacement heating
No resource consent necessary:
- Heat pump
- Nightstore heater
- Fixed-flued gas or liquid fuel (including oil and diesel) heater
- Pellet fire authorised by Environment Canterbury as listed on our website
Resource consent necessary:
You cannot install:
Building consent
Most burners with a flue, such as all woodburners and pellet fires (but not flued gas heaters), will need a building consent from the Waimakariri District Council.
Maps
Kaiapoi 
Rangiora 
Find out more information
Please
contact our Customer Services team if you have further questions.
Disclaimer
This is a summary of the rules in the Air Plan (Canterbury Natural Resources Regional Plan - Chapter 3: Air Quality) and its proposed Variations as they are currently applied by Environment Canterbury and the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality and is intended as a guide only. You should refer to the Standards and the Operative Regional Plan directly and satisfy yourself as to their provisions before taking any action or making any decisions on any matters covered here.
More information
Please contact our Customer Services team if you have further questions.