Smoke free policy - Matamata Piako District

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From 1 March 2020 all public areas within the Matamata-Piako District will be smoke free. This includes parks, reserves, roads, and all dining areas located on footpaths.

Smokefree Policy

On the 24 July 2019 Council adopted the Smokefree Outdoor Spaces Policy (the Policy) to come into effect on 1 March 2020. The purpose of the Policy is to promote the health and wellbeing of our communities. This aligns with the Government’s goal of becoming smoke free by 2025. Under the Policy ‘smoking’ will include vaping and smoking of legal highs. All most all Councils in New Zealand now have a policy similar to ours.

What areas are now smokefree?

  • Council owned or managed parks and reserves.
  • Council owned playgrounds.
  • Skate parks.
  • Council owned or managed sports locations.
  • All bus stops and shelters.
  • Public toilets.
  • The Hauraki Rail Trail.
  • Entrances outside all Council owned and operated buildings.
  • Outdoor public areas within the Central Business District (CBD) of Te Aroha, Matamata and Morrinsville as defined in Schedule 1 of the Policy.
  • All footpath outdoor dining areas within the district.
  • All public cark parks outside CBD areas.

How will this affect you?

The Policy comes into effect 1 March 2020. As a business with outdoor seating area on a public footpath, you would need to promote this as a smokefree area. We have included some resources to help inform you and your staff about promoting your new smokefree outdoor area.

If you have any questions about the Smokefree Outdoor Spaces Policy, please feel free to contact me on 0800 747 467, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Attention: Rebecca Shaw.

Read through the new Smoke Free Policy here.

Want to know more about how to enforce this policy within your business? Read through our information for businesses letter here.

The Asthma Society have further information for the public to read through about becoming Smoke Free. Read through what the Asthma Society says about this policy here.