One person was killed last night after a blaze at a rural property near Tauranga.
Fire Service spokesman Jaron Phillips said the house on Wairoa Rd was "well involved" when fire fighters arrived at 8.30pm.
A neighbour had raised the alarm.
"The whole house was on fire. Water was a problem because it is an unreticulated area. Seven fire appliances and three water tankers attended from Tauranga, Greerton, Waihi and Matamata," he said.
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It took at least an hour to get the fire under control.
Police confirmed one person had died but said no other details were available last night.