A house fire on Matakana Island destroyed a home on January 9, 2026, with no injuries, as crews responded amid high fire-risk conditions.

A house fire on Matakana Island, Tauranga Harbour, destroyed a home on January 9, 2026, with no injuries as occupants were absent. Fire and Emergency New Zealand deployed mainland crews via barge, though they weren’t needed on scene and returned by evening. Local firefighters ensured the fire was fully extinguished, and an investigator was assigned to determine the cause. Around the same time, separate fires occurred in Omanawa involving vehicles and in Tikitere, Rotorua, affecting a tractor and vegetation. High temperatures—up to 30°C in Tauranga and Whakatāne, 28°C in Rotorua—combined with strong winds and low humidity raised fire risk, prompting officials to urge caution against spark- or heat-generating activities.