Dry conditions have forced some rural fire districts to impose fire restrictions earlier than usual, and a lack of rain has seen total fire bans in some areas.
Restrictions were put in place for the South Canterbury rural fire district from Saturday.
Fire restrictions and total fire bans have been put in place in Hawke's Bay, South Marlborough, South Canterbury, Otago and Southland.
Restrictions were also imposed over the coastal area of South Canterbury between Waitaki River and Rangitata.
National Rural Fire Officer Murray Dudfield says bans are typical at this time of the year but he would like to see more rain in the coming weeks.
Mr Dudfield says a permit is required from a Rural Fire Authority to light a fire in the open air when fire restrictions are in place.
Principal rural fire officer for South Canterbury Rob Hands says restrictions imposed on the coast between the Waitaki and Rangitata rivers have come four to six weeks earlier than most years.
