The cause of Christchurch's Port Hills fire is yet to be determined, but police say residents have come forward with good information.
Earlier on Tuesday, police confirmed they had spoken to some people who were seen on a walking track on the hills and left quickly in a car.
This was just before the fire - which quickly grew to 650 hectares - broke out last Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters continue their efforts on Saturday as they work to dampen down remaining hotspots in Christchurch's Port Hills. Photo: CHRIS SKELTON
Police forward commander Roy Appley said three people had come in on Monday and passed on some good information with video footage.
He said such an incident was disappointing and caused huge angst for the community.
It was fortunate that no lives had been lost, he said.
It was the sort of thing that did not need to happen, and if offenders were involved, the consequences of their actions were rarely thought about.
Police forward commander Roy Appley. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Fire and Emergency NZ incident controller Steve Kennedy said drones were flown over the hills again overnight.
A total of 50 hotspots were identified, and "good progress" had been made this morning, meaning that number was down to 40.
The cooler weather had assisted in the firefighting but wet weather had made it slippery to get back up the tracks.
Firefighting conditions remained favourable - but temperatures would rise again this weekend.
About 100 firefighters remained on site at the Port Hills, but he expected it would be less tomorrow.
Two helicopters were in a nearby paddock on standby, but had not been needed yet today.
Fire and Emergency NZ incident controller Steve Kennedy. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The state of emergency remained in place.
In a statement on Tuesday morning, Fire and Emergency NZ incident controller Steve Kennedy said about 5 millimetres of rain fell on the fireground at the Port Hills.
Overnight crews made "great progress" eliminating many of the hotspots and deep seated burning at one of the largest skid sites.
"The specialist drone crew continued thermal imaging overnight and has identified further areas that crews will focus on [Tuesday]."
Kennedy earlier said the fire risk remained extremely high.
Work that generates sparks, which includes mowing lawns, should be done earlier in the day when it is cooler, he said.
Burnt land in Waikari Valley. Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Waikari Valley blaze
Firefighters battling a blaze in Canterbury's Waikari Valley were stood down overnight because the conditions were too slippery for them to continue safely.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said there had been significant rain in the Waikari Valley area.
Crews have managed to contain the 300-hectare vegetation fire and evacuated residents were told they could return home on Monday afternoon. They needed to remain vigilant incase the fire sparked up again.
A fly-over this morning would assess the state of the fire and help determine how they continue to fight it.
Listen to Marie Black's full interview
Speaking to Morning Report, Hurunui District mayor Marie Black said she woke to rain this morning which would be a welcome relief to fire crews and the community around Waikari Valley.
Black said she was certain FENZ would be maintaining a watch on the 300-hectare fire as the fire continued to burn underground.
Glenmark Drive resident and farmer Mark Sidey was prepared to leave his home if the blaze escalated, saying there was every chance of a repeat.
"A fire could start any time around here at the moment.
"[I'm] very vigilant on the farm at the moment with my motorbikes and working in the heat of the day just what we're up to, and, talking to a friend a week ago who's too scared to ride a horse around the Port Hills at the moment incase the shoes hit a rock and spark."
Metservice meteorologist Clare O'Connor said Christchurch was expected to get to about 18C - about 10C below Monday.
Waikari Valley is scorched after a 300-hecatre blaze. Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Restricted fire season
A number of areas in Hawke's Bay have now moved to a restricted fire season, while East Tararua has a ban on any open air fires.
In a restricted season, people must have a fire permit to light an outdoor fire.
The areas this applies for are rural and coastal Wairoa, Mahia Peninsula, Heretaunga, Ahuriri, Hawke's Bay Coast, Pahīatua, Eketāhuna, and west, south, and central Tararua.
Fire and Emergency said east Tararua faced an extremely high fire risk and has moved to a prohibited fire season.
Hawke's Bay community risk manager Nigel Hall said there was no rain forecast for the next 10 days.