Kia ora Greater Wellington Park Stakeholders,
Wildfire season is approaching in our regional parks. Read the information below to learn how we manage fire risk and what it means for you.
NOTE: You can check the status of the East Harbour Parks on the GWRC East Harbour Regional Park page or just get a park status update off the Eastbourne home page.
Greater Wellington operates two different wildfire risk management systems in regional parks over summer.
It’s important to understand the differences in the two systems. One applies to groups like contractors, staff, and utility companies, and one applies to the general public.
These two systems are designed to protect both people and the environment and ensure safe operations during high fire risk periods.
Both systems use the same colour-coded levels (green, blue, yellow, orange, red), but they can be at different levels simultaneously. This is because each system relies on distinct triggers to determine its status.
Contractors, Staff, Utility Companies, Motorised Recreation – Heat/Spark Hazardous Controls
As fire risk increases, contractors, staff, and utility companies that perform hands-on or operational tasks in parks must follow strict heat/spark hazardous activity controls which include requirements for fire suppression equipment, vehicle maintenance, and work restrictions during high-risk times.
These groups may still be able to access park areas during higher fire danger periods, but they must adhere to strict safety measures, including carrying fire extinguishers/water, ensuring equipment is maintained, and avoiding work during extreme weather conditions. Heat/spark hazardous work MUST be approved by the park ranger.
Our fire activity controls are shared with both utility companies and landowners accessing properties for them to adhere to.
Heat/spark hazardous triggers can change daily or even hourly.
General Public – Access and Activity Restrictions
For recreation activities the general public, including those with key access to parks, access is governed by a different set of fire risk triggers.
When fire danger levels rise, access to certain areas may be restricted or closed entirely. Activities such as camping, the use of stoves/barbeques, or vehicles access may be limited. During high fire risk periods specific park areas, tracks or full park closures may occur.
Recreation activity controls change slowly and follow long term trends rather than daily variation.
The key difference
Contractors, utility companies, landowners, and staff may still access regional parks or areas when they are closed to the public because they are following strict activity controls.
Greater Wellington ensures safety by applying heat/spark mitigation measures, and knowing where these groups are, making evacuation easier if necessary.
In contrast, when members of the public are in the park, we have no way of knowing where they all are and emergency communication is impossible, making evacuation much more difficult in the event of a fire. This is why recreation activities and access is restricted during high fire risk periods—ensuring the safety of everyone.
Heat/spark triggers can change daily or even hourly. Recreation activity controls change slowly and follow long term trends.
Need more information?
* To find out more about how we manage fire season in our regional parks, head to gw.govt.nz/fires
* Keep an eye out for code change emails from this address. They will tell you what is allowed and when during fire season.
* If you have any questions about the two systems, or you’re not sure which system applies to you, please reach out to your park ranger contact.
Lets work together to keep people and parks safe this summer.
Ngā mihi
Greater Wellington Regional Parks Team