A huge bush fire that has raged across Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf for more than a day is under control tonight.
Three helicopters with monsoon buckets and 40 rural firefighters have reduced the size of the area burning near Claris airfield and contained other sections of the fire, Auckland principal rural fire officer Bryan Cartelle said.
Diggers have excavated firebreaks and the helicopters and fire crews would continue to work until dusk on the remaining 8 hectares that are burning.
Two new Department of Conservation (DoC) firefighting teams and additional crews from Nelson and Rotorua arrive tonight and will relieve today's crews from tomorrow morning.
"I would like to thank all the crews and everyone who has gone the extra mile today - it's been a big effort,'' Mr Cartelle said.''