Last week Taumarunui Police arrested a local man for two arsons on a rural Kakahi property.
Officer in charge of Taumarunui Police Station, Senior Sergeant Grant Alabaster says: "Officers arrested a 47-year-old Kakahi man last Thursday (21 February) after receiving information from the public in relation to the arsons."
The first fire happened around 10:50pm at a house on a rural property on Whakapapa Road, Kakahi, about 20 kilometres south east of Taumarunui. A second fire at a shed on the same property was lit shortly after the house fire.
All four occupants inside the house at the time managed to evacuate the burning house safely.
The man has been charged with two counts of arson and one count of assault. He is remanded in custody at Waikeria Prison for a psychological assessment and is due to reappear in the Taumarunui District Court in the next few weeks.
"I want to thank the community for their support in helping us identify and locate the offender. Your help is invaluable in preventing crime in our community," says Senior Sergeant Alabaster.
As this matter is before the courts Police cannot comment further at this time.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.