Recent high winds have blown away the Chinese lanterns that have sparked a flurry of calls to police over the holiday period from people who think they are seeing distress flares.
Two people reported seeing them in Mount Maunganui on Christmas night. Other sightings have been made in Auckland and the Coromandel.

It has been days since any sightings were reported in Tauranga, say police.
Police do not want to deter callers for fear of missing a genuine call for assistance, but they wish to advise on the difference between distress flares and lanterns.
Distress flares burn an intense red colour and slowly descend over 40-60 seconds under a small parachute. The Chinese Lanterns glow orange and are not as bright as distress flares. They operate as miniature hot air balloons and stay in the air for several minutes, before dropping rapidly.