Kaikōura fires: No charges to be laid after burn pile that sparked blazes

RNZ

24 Nov, 2025 02:40 AMQuick Read

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Four homes and 33 structures were destroyed across nearly 200 hectares. Photo / Nate McKinnon, RNZ

No charges will be laid against the owner of a burn pile that sparked large fires and destroyed four homes in Kaikōura last month.

Fire and Emergency says the fires were caused by embers from the burn pile that were spread by high winds.

The fires spread over an area
of almost 200ha.

A total of 33 structures were destroyed in the fires.

Almost 200 volunteer firefighters worked over six days to extinguish the fires amid winds of 150km/h.