Investigations continue into a fire which destroyed 41 hectares of land on Matakana Island.

The blaze broke out just before Christmas and fire crews spent several days, including Christmas Day, battling the fire.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand District Commander Jeff Maunder says the vegetation fire on Matakana Island over the Christmas period is fully extinguished and the land has been handed back to its owners.

“The fire burnt through about 41 hectares of scrub and pine slash and took multiple crews, helicopters with monsoon buckets and heavy machinery seven days to suppress then bring the fire under control.

“Our crews sacrificed Christmas with their loved ones to bring this fire under control and I am incredibly proud of their hard work.

“An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.”

Firefighters at work on Matakana Island on Christmas Day. Supplied photo.