Te Anau police constable Kris Dale has been discharged from hospital, three weeks after an horrific accident at his home.

The father-of-four has been in Christchurch Hospital's burns unit since he was set on fire by a gas bottle purge. 

On Thursday he finally got to return home, released into the care of district nurses and the local physio thanks to "outstanding medical care, nutrition and everyone's aroha and support", he says.

His recovery has been better than anyone expected.  

"Even though some areas of my right hand, arm and neck received full thickness (3rd degree) burns, I have healed enough to avoid skin grafts and now look forward to rehab and 'scar management'," he says, in an update on a Givealittle page.

"I honestly couldn't have done it without your thoughts and comments which keep me pushing to get better everyday.

"I can never repay what we've been given and have been humbled by your kindness." 

Kris, a former firefighter with Ohope Volunteer Fire Brigade, Bay of Plenty, and a hunter, had been boiling down the head of a 12-point stag in his garage when the gas bottle began purging.

When he went to turn it off, it purged again, setting fire to his skin and clothing. 

A Givealittle page set up by a friend to support Kris and his family through his recovery has raised just over $51,000.

Kris Dale a few days after arriving in hospital