However, you do not need a permit if you are having a cooking fire, hangi or barbecue as long as it is on private land.
Whangarei and Kaipara now join the Far North and Auckland who both went into restricted fire seasons in December.
The season so far had not been unusually dry with some rain looking likely during mid January.
Part of the reason for the restrictions is so there are less false alarms from well-meaning residents, Mr Ihaka said.
People should also remember if the fire service is called as a result of a fire lit by a resident, that resident could be found liable.
Mr Ihaka said he knew of a couple in Nelson, who did not have insurance, who had been fined about $1 million.
It is possible the regions may move to a total fire ban later that was still "some way off", Mr Ihaka said.
"We could be in extreme conditions heading towards the end of summer". The driest part of the season was usually around February.
-For more information about the restricted fire season, including applying for a permit, visit: www.havingafire.org.nz.
