Firefighters responded en masse to a scrub flare-up near Christchurch overnight.
Eighteen trucks tackled the flames as they leapt through vegetation at West Melton.
Fire Service spokesman Brent Dunn says it was quickly brought under control and contained to an area of a couple of hectares.
"We still have rural firefighters on the scene this morning and they'll continue with dampening down and just making sure flare ups don't get away."
Mr Dunn says a Department of Conservation rural fire investigator will take a look at what caused the blaze later this morning.