Fireworks are likely to have caused a massive vegetation fire in the Coromandel last night - depsite there being a ban for the Peninsula.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said 60 personnel and two helicopters were at the scene after 9.30pm on Saturday and battled the blaze through the night.
The fire destroyed two hectares of land on Wharf Road in Colville.
Principal Rural Fire officer Paul Shaw said he's disappointed a fire ban for the peninsula imposed before Christmas isn't being taken seriously.
"You don't need to use fireworks to have a good time on New Year's Eve, please refrain from using them."
He said all of the firefighters in the region are volunteers.
"So everytime they get dragged out of bed they're doing it for nothing, they're doing it for their community."
The fire ban in place for the Coromandel Peninsula occurs every year from 20 December.