Media advisory
5 February 2013

BBQs, hangi allowed on Waitangi Day only
Auckland Council has announced a temporary one-day lift of Auckland’s total fire ban to allow cooking fires on private property during Waitangi Day.

This will be effective from now until midnight Wednesday, Waitangi Day, 6 February.

Cooking fires include hangi, umu, pizza ovens and solid fuel barbecue types.

There is no lifting of the ban on open air fires including rubbish fires, bonfires, backyard braziers and retail fireworks. Solid fuel cooking fires in public areas also remain banned.

Bryan Cartelle, Principal Rural Fire Officer says given the rain of the last 24 hours, and in light of tomorrow’s Waitangi Day celebrations, Auckland Council has lifted the ban on cooking fires temporarily.

“We want people to enjoy traditional Waitangi Day celebrations and the recent rain has given us a short reprieve to allow this as long as people are safe and considerate.”

“We trust people will take care with barbecues and hangi, and enjoy a safe and happy Waitangi Day with friends and family,” he says.

The weather forecast is for fine weather for the next seven days at least so the total fire ban will resume at midnight at the end of Waitangi Day and will continue to be enforced.

Anyone who sees a suspicious fire or smoke call the fire service immediately on 111.

For further information please visit the rural fires page on our website or call Auckland Council on 09 3010101 to speak to one of the rural fire team.

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