Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Waiharara Wildfire Investigation Report

The wildfire at Waiharara in the Far North a year ago was devastating for the local community, and hugely destructive of a nearby wetland area.

The fire burned from mid-December 2021 to early February 2022, and led to Kaimaumau residents being evacuated from their homes twice. The fire consumed around 2800 hectares, more than half of which was conservation land. Firefighters fought the fire for 50 days before it was safe to hand back to landowners.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has carried out a thorough investigation into the origin and cause of the Waiharara fire, and this report has now been released.