Fifteen fire crews and a helicopter with a monsoon bucket are battling a scrub fire in Upper Hutt which is threatening two houses.
Flames in the hills above Te Marua. Photo: RNZ / Graham Smith
Firefighters were called just after 2pm to the blaze, which started on Beechwood Lane and travelled up the hill to Mount Marua Way.
The police are diverting State Highway 2 traffic through the Maungaroa Valley Road.