Major scrub fire near Aoraki/Mt Cook burns for second day
A large blaze burning through wilding pines near the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park has spread significantly overnight.
The fire has been burning since about 11.25am on Sunday after flaring up on a Twizel riverbed and spreading to a large forest on Mt Cook Rd (State Highway 80).
It grew to 2500 hectares and had a 23 kilometre perimeter by Sunday night but on Monday, there was "significant spread" overnight and it was now covering 3100 hectares.
There are 17 helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft battling the fire, with the first helicopters equipped with monsoon buckets going up at first light.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
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Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.3% Yes! New Year, New Me
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20.1% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.6% Nah - not for me
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Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
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