Large fire burning south of Auckland

File photo / NZH

Helicopters have been brought in to fight a big fire south of Auckland.

The blaze at Waiuku began at about 1.30pm this afternoon.

Fire Service shift manager Jaron Phillips said the fire started in the sand dunes and has now spread from the Waiuku Forest into farmland.

Mr Phillips said there are four helicopters working on the fire.

He said firefighters are waiting for a bulldozer to arrive to widen the firebreak so the fire can be halted overnight.

It is not yet clear what started the blaze.

- Newstalk ZB