Firefighters are expected to continue battling a forest fire on Matakana Island near Tauranga for "several days".
The blaze has been raging since Saturday night, burning over 37 hectares of scrub and pine slash.
While the flames were contained on Sunday, multiple crews and helicopters have been working to keep it controlled.
In a statement, FENZ described the blaze as “complex”, with incident controller Jeff Maunder saying the fire was burning underground in the root systems of large trees.
"Firefighters will be using handtools to dig out hotspots and expose any fire burning underground, then soaking the area with water to ensure it is completely cool," Maunder said.
Flames are also burning in the “duff layer” of partly decayed material on the ground and vegetation.
“The fire is contained within a secure perimeter, but there are pockets of vegetation and tree stumps that are still smouldering and could reignite if not fully extinguished,” he said.
Two crews monitored the fire overnight, with the drone team beginning their operations. They found at least 200 hotspots that would need to be dealt with.
“Active firefighting will resume in the morning with crews on the ground and two helicopters waterbombing. It’s likely that operations will continue until at least Wednesday.”
Maunder said: “People in Tauranga and along the coast could still expect to see and smell smoke from the fire over the next day or so.”
He thanked locals, who have been bringing baking and other supplies to the firefighters — as well as the local ferry operator, who has been making extra trips to ensure crews, vehicles and equipment vital to FENZ’s efforts could make it to the island.
"We really appreciate the support from the community,” he said.
“Everyone working on this fire has given up Christmas Day with their families. We’ve made sure they’ve had some Christmas treats today - they’re working hard - and it’s also good to know that the locals are right behind us."
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