Residents from up to 40 homes in the northland town of Ahipara are having a fretful night as fire threatens their houses

Residents who've been evacuated have been sent to either the local rugby club or the Roma Maraee.

Fire and Emergency ground crews are still battling the scrub fire, which is around a square kilometre in size,and is uncontained.

Multiple appliances and six helicopters have been battling the flames - the helicopters will resume the fight at first light