DOC ticks off Ellis for smoking Rangitoto stunt

SMOKIN': The simulated eruption of Rangitoto which prompted calls to the police and fire service was part of a guerilla marketing campaign.

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Television personality and businessman Marc Ellis has earned a telling-off from the Department of Conservation after a publicity stunt yesterday sent plumes of smoke from the summit of Rangitoto.
Rangitoto stunt has families on edge
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Concerned people thinking they were witnessing a volcanic eruption called the police and the Fire Service reporting smoke near the summit of the Hauraki Gulf island, at the same time as a plane with a banner advertising Ellis' new company, mintshot, flew over.

DOC acting Auckland area manager Jonathan Miles said the stunt could have caused a serious fire on the island reserve.

"The publicity stunt that took place on Rangitoto was no joke," Mr Miles said.

"The event organisers had not sought a permit from the Department of Conservation to conduct this activity. Fire is one of the biggest threats to our conservation estate."

"A total open fire ban is in place at all times on Rangitoto."

Rangitoto has a fragile ecosystem and the largest pohutukawa forest in the world.

Open fires are not permitted on conservation islands in the Hauraki Gulf, comprising Rangitoto, Motutapu, Motuihe, Motuora, Tiritiri Matangi, Moturekareka, Kaikoura, Rakitu, parts of Great Barrier and Burgess Islands, Hauturu (Little Barrier) and the Mokohinaus.

- NZPA