A man has been charged with arson following a major fire in Auckland's Helensville on Thursday.
It comes after police were looking into the circumstances of the bush fire near the Kaipara Coast Highway, and speaking with a man located nearby who they said was helping with enquiries.
Newshub was told earlier on Thursday that the man was spotted leaving the scene with a container.
A 25-year-old man was taken into custody near the scene of the fire, Detective Senior Sergeant Adam Lough, Waitematā CIB said.
"While our investigation remains ongoing, police are not currently seeking anyone else in relation to the fire."
The man will appear in the Waitākere District Court in due course.
Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) crews were alerted to the fire near the Kaipara Coast Highway around 3:30am.
"Firefighters found a large fire, in bush, described as uncontained and spreading quickly uphill," a FENZ spokesperson told Newshub.
A section of State Highway 16 remains closed and the public are being asked to avoid the area while enquiries are ongoing.
