New Zealand / Emergency Services

Auckland scrub fire still burning two days after it began

19:02 pm on 2 January 2023

Crews will stay overnight, with the next assessment due Tuesday morning. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

A fire is continuing to burn in Auckland's Mahurangi East, close to two days after it began.

The scrub fire, south of Warkworth, is believed to have been started by fireworks at about 11pm on New Years' Eve.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said one ground crew remains on site, where the fire is contained to a 100-year-old pōhutukawa tree.

They confirmed crews will stay overnight, with the next assessment due Tuesday morning.

At its peak, the blaze was the most serious of the New Years' Eve fires in the North Island.