Waka Toa Ora

Help us reduce air pollution in Waitaha Canterbury

Environment Canterbury media release: 27th May 2026

As we head into winter, more people are lighting their wood burners to keep warm. While the region has made progress in reducing air pollution over the past 20 years, smoke from home heating is a major contributor in Waitaha Canterbury in the colder months.

With national air quality limits to meet and community health at stake, there’s still work to do. Small changes at home can make a big difference.

The National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NESAQ) requires that all Canterbury airsheds have no more than one day that exceeds PM₁₀ guidelines per year. 

Find out about high air pollution events in Canterbury.

We're asking for your help to improve our air quality.

Wood burner tips to help improve air quality

If you have a wood burner, burn warmer and cheaper this year by using good, dry wood, efficient burning techniques, and ensuring the burner and flue are well-maintained. 

“Get your fire going quickly using the ‘upside-down method’ to build your fire, keep it burning hot, and don’t damp it down overnight,” said air quality spokesperson, Brian Reeves. 

“A clean chimney helps your fire breathe properly. When your fire burns hotter and more efficiently, it produces less smoke, which is better for your home and the air outside.

“With everyone playing their part, we can reduce air pollution and all breathe easier.”

Wood burner tips:

• Learn the best burning technique.
• Check our burner maintenance checklist.
• See the list of Trusted Good Wood Merchants who we audit regularly to check their wood is dry and in good supply.

Move to cleaner heating options

The good news is more people are now using efficient forms of heating like heat pumps and ultra-low emission burners (ULEB) and this has significantly improved our air quality. 

To reduce home heating emissions, low-emission burners are being phased out in five of our eight clean air zones: Christchurch, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Ashburton, and Timaru.

Find out about the Home heating guidelines for your Clean Air Zone.

The biggest way you can play a part in reducing air pollution is by replacing an inefficient wood burner with a cleaner, more efficient form of heating: an ultra-low emission burner or heat pump.

Check the Solid Fuel Burner Database to see when your burner is due to expire. 

Subsidies are available for replacing wood burners with new efficient forms of heating.
Contact our advisory team online to find out more or call 0800 324 636.