South Island search for Porirua man

Detectives have extended their hunt to the South Island for a man who allegedly beat his ex-partner before setting fire to her Plimmerton home.

Police issued a warrant for the arrest of Porirua man Graham Adrian Rae, 37, on Wednesday.

Detective Sergeant Andy Saunders said Rae had used a number of aliases including John Jake Holmes, Graham Gordon, Graham Rasson and Graham Ranson.

Rae - described as a European, 170cm tall, with brown hair and of medium build - was believed to be driving a black four-door Mazda Familia, registration XRS215.