Following a major fire at Fletcher Bay in the north of the Coromandel, Fire and Emergency New Zealand are asking people to take any fireworks home.

The fire, which has burnt through five hectares, is believed to have been started by fireworks.

The fire is contained, and firefighters will be dampening down hot spots today using a helicopter and ground crews.

'The Fletcher Bay fire is an example of the risk of fireworks, and the challenge of fire fighting in an isolated area,” says Thames-Coromandel Principal Rural Fire Officer Paul Shaw.

'It is very dry in the Coromandel and the recent rain has not been enough to make a real difference. People need to be aware of the risks and the consequences of their actions.

'Especially as some of the things that make the Coromandel so special – the bush and the isolation – also make it particularly hard to get to and fight any fires that do start.

'The last thing we want is for people's summer holidays to be ruined by a fire that causes harm to people, or damages property or our environment.

'A total fire ban is in place for the whole Coromandel, and that includes beach bonfires and fireworks. If you have any fireworks left, please take them home with you – the risk simply isn't worth it.”