A reported drone sighting delayed a helicopter being sent to a fire in Coromandel this afternoon.
Four fire crews and a helicopter have now extinguished the scrub fire at Hahei Beach on the East Coast.
A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency said at its height the blaze at the popular holiday spot covered about half-a-hectare.
He said reports of a possible drone sighting near the fire meant the helicopter could not respond straight away.
But, once the scene was given the all-clear, the helicopter went in.
Crews are still at the scene dampening down any hotspots.
