A 350-metre exclusion zone was set up for safety, and the flares, thought to contain phosphorous, were disposed of at the scene.

The cordon has now been fully lifted.

>> More National News

Other National News

20 Jan: How George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four predicted the global power shifts happening now

20 Jan: A year on from his second inauguration, Trump 2.0 has one defining word: power

20 Jan: For 80 years, the president’s party has almost always lost House seats in midterm elections, a pattern that makes the 2026 congressional outlook clear

20 Jan: One person's in critical condition after an incident in Taranaki

20 Jan: Race leader Tom Sexton is eyeing another victory on a favoured third stage in cycling's Tour of Southland

20 Jan: A search for answers - after a body was found on the rocks at a beach on Auckland's North Shore

19 Jan: Small Northland communities got the worst of the weekend's flooding, but more is to come

Top Stories

RUGBY
Don't be surprised if the coaching nous of Scott Robertson is lured to the UK More...

BUSINESS
As prices for everyone's favourite sweet treat soar - chocolate makers are searching to find cheaper alternatives More...

Today's News

Living & Travel:
The air force's Ohakea base has been unstaffed overnight since the pandemic, effectively closing New Zealand to overseas aircraft in some circumstances 10:27

National:
How George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four predicted the global power shifts happening now 10:27

National:
A year on from his second inauguration, Trump 2.0 has one defining word: power 10:17

Environment:
The upper North Island's now under severe weather watches and warnings for least the next 42 hours 10:07

National:
For 80 years, the president’s party has almost always lost House seats in midterm elections, a pattern that makes the 2026 congressional outlook clear 10:07

International:
New Trump tariffs on European allies could push EU to use 'trade bazooka' 10:07

Education:
China's population declines for a fourth-straight year amid record low birth rates 9:57

Politics:
Donald Trump links Greenland takeover threat to Nobel Peace Prize snub, amid tariffs row with Europe 9:47

Business:
As prices for everyone's favourite sweet treat soar - chocolate makers are searching to find cheaper alternatives 9:27

Health & Safety:
A new weight loss drug may come to market, but it's not the best one out there 8:17

News Search

Power Search