Helicopters combating a wildfire in Port Hills were forced to halt operations on Sunday due to a private drone flying in the area.
The drone posed a significant safety risk, said a report on state-funded media outlet RNZ.
The drone activity, specifically around the Cashmere Road area, prompted a grounding of aerial firefighting efforts, as helicopters could not operate safely near drones.
The grounding lasted approximately 45 minutes to an hour each time a drone was detected.
Police are investigating the incident, and the public has been urged to avoid the fire zone.
The fire, which started on Wednesday, has consumed over 650 hectares, destroyed a home, and led to evacuations.
Although largely contained, efforts continue to extinguish hotspots, with concerns about strong winds forecasted for Monday potentially challenging containment efforts.
Firefighters and emergency services are working to secure the area, with a local state of emergency in place and possible further evacuations if necessary.
Image credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel
As a CAA qualified Drone Pilot this is only going to get worse unless steps are taken to address the reckless behaviour of idiots who flout the basic rules..
Heil CAA?
Basically anyone who wants to make a quad can do so these days cheaply without CAA oppression. Do the right thing and EDUCATE rather than cry out for more rules. Tell people what a quad (or any airbore vehicle) can do to a helicopter.
Only idiots and fascists call for lockstep regulation.
Russian drone.