A fire on the island threatened to wipe out vegetation - again - and caused pandemonium for firefighters.
Multiple 111 calls at about 3pm alerted the Wanaka Fire Brigade members to the blaze, who commandeered boats to rush across the water to extinguish the flames.
Crowds gathered on the main beach at Wanaka and at other lakeside vantage points to watch the burning island.
Wanaka fire chief Steve Trevathan and other members of the brigade leapt into Lakeland Adventure jetboats to travel to the island fire.
A crew of about 30 volunteer firefighters, council rural fire crew, boaties, and members of Rippon vineyard staff rushed to man hoses, wet sacks, and fire beaters.
Water pumps, generators, and other firefighting equipment were transported to the island by boats.
A helicopter with monsoon bucket was called in to further douse the flames.
An area half the size of a football field was burnt during the two hours which fire crew took to bring the fire under control.
Queenstown Lakes District Council fire investigators conducted an inspection of the fire site to try and determine how the blaze started.
A fire in 2005 destroyed vegetation on Ruby Island in "almost the same place" as yesterday's fire, Mr Trevathan said.
In 1992, fire destroyed the island's vegetation, and a replanting and restoration programme was later implemented.
