Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in New Zealand
New Zealand: Area burned by wildfires by land cover type was 64.4 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in New Zealand, 2002–2024
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for area burned by wildfires by land cover type in New Zealand is 64.4 hectares, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 50.0% on the previous year and down 86.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in New Zealand peaked at 5,066 hectares in 2020 and was at its lowest, 0 hectares, in 2003.
New Zealand ranks 137th of 225 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 523.23 hectares | 0 hectares | 1,760 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 931.62 hectares | 42.93 hectares | 2,426 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,181 hectares | 42.93 hectares | 5,066 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More reference data data for New Zealand
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- Summer temperature anomalies 1.76 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.0464 °C (2026)
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- Winter temperature anomalies 0.5536 °C (2025)
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Frequently asked questions
- What is area burned by wildfires by land cover type in New Zealand?
- Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in New Zealand was 64.4 hectares in 2024, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 5,066 hectares in 2020.
- What is the lowest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 hectares in 2003.
- How does New Zealand rank for area burned by wildfires by land cover type?
- New Zealand ranks 137th out of 225 countries with data for 2024.
- Is area burned by wildfires by land cover type rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 86.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Area burned by wildfires by land cover type. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Area of shrubland and grassland burnt by wildfires each year, in hectares. Includes open and closed shrublands and grasslands without a significant tree cover.