Yachties pay out for fire

Photo / Thinkstock

A beach barbecue which started a fire and threatened Northland's most exclusive subdivision ended up costing an English yachting couple $10,000.

The couple had thought their fire on a beach at Purerua Peninsula, in the Bay of Islands, last December had been put out but the next day a spark ignited scrub.

From midnight this Friday anyone in the Far North wanting to light a fire in the open will need a permit.