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• The Bay of Plenty Regional Council will conduct wood burner checks in Rotorua to improve air quality.
• A ban on older burners in 2020 has improved air quality, but more work is needed.
• Wood smoke contains fine particles that can cause serious health issues, including premature death.

The  is hoping for clearer skies in  this winter as it prepares to carry out annual wood burner checks across the city.

Historically, Rotorua has had some of the worst winter air quality in New Zealand because of smoke from wood burners, a press release from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council said.

A decade-long education campaign and a ban on older-style burners in 2020 have led to air quality improvements – but more work was needed.

According to the World Health Organisation, air pollution is the leading environmental threat to human health.

Wood smoke contains fine particles that, when inhaled, could penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Health impacts from fine particles included premature death, hospitalisations (for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases) and restricted activity days.

The regional council was responsible for monitoring and managing the region’s air quality, making sure it did not exceed the national standards, which set a minimum level of health protection.

Senior regulatory project officer Marion Henton said everyone had a right to breathe clean air.

“The hidden harm from wood smoke cannot be ignored as there is clear evidence about the negative health impacts,” Henton said.

Smokey fires in Rotorua and the Rotorua Airshed, where non-complying wood burners are banned under the Rotorua Air Quality Control Bylaw. Photo / supplied

“While most in the community have already made the switch to cleaner heating, regardless of whether a burner is legal or not, all wood burners produce smoke, and smoke is harmful to humans.

“There is no safe level of air pollution, so reducing smoke from wood burners or avoiding wood burning altogether is the best thing you can do to breathe cleaner air in your home and neighbourhood.”

Residents who were unsure about the legality of their wood burners were encouraged to contact the Rotorua Lakes Council.

If you do have a compliant wood burner, make sure you:

• burn only dry, seasoned firewood (12-18 months);
• avoid overloading the firebox;
• burn your fire hot and bright to reduce smoke;
• don’t bank up the fire, and shut it down before bed;
• check the chimney flue 20-30 minutes after lighting – there should be no visible smoke, just a heat haze;
• never burn rubbish or treated/painted timber.

For more information about improving Rotorua’s air quality, visit .