Auckland's region-wide fire ban has been lifted for Waitangi Day celebrations on Wednesday, to allow people to have hangi and barbecues in their backyards.
The ban on cooking fires such as hangi, umu, pizza ovens and barbecues has been temporarily lifted until midnight.
Rubbish fires, bonfires and fireworks are still banned, as are cooking fires in public areas.
Principal rural fire officer Bryan Cartelle says rain in the past 24 hours has allowed for a short reprieve, but with fine weather predicted for the next week the ban will resume after Waitangi Day.
