Man in court over Key office fire

A man charged with two arsons, including an attack on Prime Minister John Key's electorate office, was today remanded in custody until a bail hearing on Monday.

The 31-year-old West Auckland labourer was granted interim name suppression when he made a brief first appearance in Waitakere District Court this morning.

He faces two charges of intentionally damaging property by fire.

The first count relates to an incident at the Helensville Rugby Club on August 21.

The second arises from a fire at Mr Key's office in his Helensville electorate.

Early on Thursday, a small fire broke out after an object was thrown into the office on State Highway 16 at Kumeu.

No one was in the building at the time.

Firefighters were able to put out the flames before they spread beyond the room.

Mr Key said at the time that he had no idea why his office was attacked.

- NZPA