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National environmental standards: Authorised wood burners
After 1st September 2005 the national environmental standards for air quality require that all wood burners installed on properties less than 2 hectares must have a discharge of less than 1.5 grams of particles for each kilogram of dry wood burnt, and a thermal efficiency at least 65%. This webpage provides a national list of authorised wood burners.
The Ministry does not accept any liability arising from the list and will not pay compensation to anyone relying on this list in the event a wood burner is found to be non-complying and has to be removed. The Ministry encourages retailers to make purchasers aware of these caveats.
The list has been updated to include the results of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of a national performance review of wood burners. It is not however, necessarily an exclusive list of all currently compliant models at any given time.
If you have any queries regarding wood burners, please refer to the frequently asked questions on wood burners or email woodburners@mfe.govt.nz.
If you would like to be notified of updates to the authorised list, or have any queries regarding wood burners, please email woodburners@mfe.govt.nz.
Note:
A building consent for the installation of a solid fuel burner will be required from the local City or District Council. These authorities, including the regional council, may also have additional requirements for solid fuel burners, please check with them.
Read the authorised wood burner list
Looking for pellet burners?
Pellet burners are not included in the National Environmental Standard as they cannot be tested in accordance with the method due to their automatic feed mechanism. Pellet burners are however, extremely efficient and clean burning. The Ministry has compiled a list of appliances authorised by Environment Canterbury and/or Nelson City Council below.
What about multifuel burners and open fires?
There is no Ministry list of multifuel burners or open fires as these are not recommended forms of heating. Some regional councils are also discouraging these heating types through their regional planning process.
For more information see the following publications:
