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National Environmental Standard for Wood burners: Information for Territorial Authorities

What are the National Environmental Standards?

The National Environmental Standards are national regulations designed to protect public health by setting 'bottom-line' values. The National Environmental Standards for Air Quality are the first suite of standards and include a design standard for wood burners in urban areas.

What is the wood burner standard?

All wood burners installed after 1 September 2005 must have:

  • An emission of less than 1.5 grams of particles per kilogram of dry wood burnt as measured in accordance with AS/NZS 4013:1999; and
  • a thermal efficiency of not less than 65% as measured in accordance with AS/NZS 4012:1999.

What do I need to know?

  • From 1 September 2005 the New Zealand design standard for wood burners applies to all units installed on properties less than 2 hectares in lot size.
  • The standard applies only to wood burners. It does not apply to:
    • open fires
    • multi fuel burners (eg, coal)
    • cooking stoves
    • pellet burners.
  • The standard does not ban wetbacks. It simply sets a minimum requirement for thermal efficiency.

How does this fit with the Building Code?

The National Environmental Standards are regulations made under the Resource Management Act 1991 and may not link to the Building Act 2004. It would however, be prudent for the Council to inform people that granting of a building consent is not authority to install and operate a non-complying wood burner.

The Ministry suggests that Councils issue an advice note with a building consent for wood burners alerting the owner to the air quality regulations, as these regulations prevent discharge from any non-complying wood burner. The Ministry further suggests Councils liaise with the relevant Regional Council, as they are responsible for enforcement of the regulations. Councils may however, want to consult their own lawyers as to whether there is a link between the two statutes in relation to wood burners.

How do I find out which burners meet the standard?

To assist purchasers wanting to find out which models meet the standard, a list of wood burner models that have been tested and found to meet the performance requirements of the standard is provided.

Or email the Ministry: standards@mfe.govt.nz

Or telephone the Ministry on: 0800 AIR NES (0800 247 637)

Where do I get additional information about the National Environmental Standards?

More information on the National Environmental Standards is available on this website.