NZDF flyover shows scale of Chatham Islands bushfire

Aerial photographs taken by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) show the scale and spread of a bushfire that is threatening nature reserves in the Chatham Islands.

The NZDF sent a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft to the Chathams this morning to conduct an aerial survey to help Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) assess the scale of the blaze.

FENZ said the bushfire did not currently pose a risk to people or structures, but had burnt more than 1500 hectares and was threatening conservation land.