Three homes in the Far North have been evacuated overnight after a large and uncontained forest fire spread.
The blaze broke out at Matawaia, near Kaikohe, about 3.30pm yesterday, sending smoke as far away as Paihia.
Up to 13 fire crews and six helicopters were fighting the blaze at its peak and it had burned through about 120ha by 8pm.
Five crews have remained on scene overnight to monitor the situation and more ground crews and helicopters are due back at first light this morning.