I recall a program on the telly about this guy in Chch a week or so ago, burning treated pellet wood on an open fireplace. I think it was Campbell Live. An open fireplace is a complete waste of time if you ask me, but he is still allowed to use it because it was a pre-existing fireplace, and the landlord refuses to replace it. So this guy belches chemically treated wood by-product into the neighbourhood because he can.

So, as far as I am aware, any fines a council issues at this stage would only relate to new installations not meeting the emmissions laws (unless you are creating a nuisance with yout fire of course).

Coincidentally, today I did the kiwi thing and whinged to the council about a neighbour upwind and downhill of us who burns their fire 365 days a year. Unfortunately, they don’t just use it to burn wood, they burn their rubbish on it as well. This article actually relates quite well to them because judging by the state of their chimbley, it hasn’t been cleaned for some time (I’ll post a pic). We can’t even open our north facing windows or hang washing out on a fine day. We don’t get a break at all because they are a retired couple and don’t go anywhere. Just stay home and burn stuff. After 5 or so visits over the years to complain to them about the smell and smoke, and the affect on the children in the house between us, I finally went to the council. Not that that will amount to squat of course. Councils are just tiny governments.

Then of course, you head north to the likes of the big smoke (pardon the pun). The councils up that way don’t have any problems with you using woodburners. I would suggest you contact the councils in any areas you plan on staying and check with them just to be sure.