Parikino and Waiiu fire update #2

17 December 2025

Parikino fire

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Incident Controller Nigel Dravitzki says lower temperatures, moderate wind and rainfall over the last 24 hours has helped with firefighting efforts at Lismore Forest near Parikino.

"The crews and support staff have been working hard today alongside New Zealand Defence and the Department of Conservation to knock back the fire," he says.

"With all our crews’ hard work over the last four days, we have stopped the spread and contained the fire to 97 hectares.

"There are still areas of deep seated fire, but crews will be having a well-deserved break tonight, with the team in the Command Unit keeping watch on the fire ground, ready for crews to return in the morning.

Nigel Dravitzki says a specialist wildfire investigator has visited the fire ground and indications at this point are that the cause of the fire is accidental.

Waiinu fire

Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews responding to the vegetation fire at Waiinu Beach have ceased operations this afternoon.

Incident Controller, Assistant Commander Clive Lennox says thanks to the hard mahi of firefighters and heavy machinery operators today, the fire is now 90 percent contained.

"I’m very pleased with the progress we made today," he says.

"I’m glad our crews can go home for a well-deserved rest tonight.

"We’ll return with heavy machinery tomorrow morning to continue mopping up."

Waiinu Beach Road is open again with a speed limit of 50km/h.

This will be the last update for both incidents for this evening.