A Northland community is standing up to support whanau as a large bush fire burns

Fire and Emergency were called to Waipoua Forest - home of famous kauri tree Tane Mahuta - about 2pm yesterday.

The blaze had stretched 70 hectares by the evening.

Kaipara Maori Ward Councillor Pera Paniora says Waipoua settlement residents are still being looked after at Waikara marae.

She says the community is wrapping around those affected, by providing food, clothing and toiletries - as residents left without belongings.

Paniora says a few chose to stay at the settlement.