Still enough resources to deal with large wildfires in NZ

Should a large wildfire take hold, Fire and Emergency New Zealand has the resources to deal with it, the organisation says.

Fire crews in New Zealand have been fighting a large forest fire in Napier, which has been contained now, while more firefighters were busy helping battle blazes in Australia.

• This story was first published by RNZ

New Zealand has been sending firefighters to Australia since October when the massive fires there took hold.

So far this fire season, 179 New Zealand firefighters have been sent in shifts to help Australia fight the fatal wildfires.

FENZ said helping a close neighbour was always a priority, but it has to be balanced with local needs.

New Zealand is also in the process of sending defence force helicopters and crew to help - a move that has transcended politics.

National's defence spokesperson Mark Mitchell said New Zealand needs to be there.

"It's important to help them," he said. 

"They've got a huge challenge they're facing, without a doubt, and I think it's really important for us to be there supporting them and helping them in any way we can.

"I've got enormous respect for the capability of our defence forces, having been a past minister."

Defence Minister Ron Mark said three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters and crew, two New Zealand Army Combat Engineer Sections and a command element were on their way to Australia.