Grandmother fought with fire say police

Lee Jo van Haaren's activities keep the local volunteer fire brigade on alert for six months, say prosecutors. Picture / Michael Cunningham

A woman who used fire as a weapon to settle scores caused more than $500,000 in damage during a six-month arson spree, the Kaitaia District Court heard yesterday.

Lee Jo van Haaren, 42, formerly of Takahue Saddle, south of Kaitaia, faces 21 counts of arson relating to fires lit in and around Kaitaia between November 23 last year and May 19.

The targets include the local Child Youth and Family office after the defendant's grand-daughter was taken into care, and the Far North District Council property after the seizure of property and animals.

Crown prosector Mike Smith told the court at the start of a depositions hearing yesterday that van Haaren had been engaged in disputes with several agencies and organisations.

She had also had "difficulties" with the primary school.

These sites became the scenes of fires, with council offices being targeted twice and the Kaitaia Primary School losing its five-room infant block during a fierce blaze on the night of April 16.

The fires caused more than $500,000 of damage, with more than $230,000 relating to the school fire alone.

Other buildings damaged included an arts centre (almost destroyed), the town's main community hall, netball clubrooms, a family church hall, shops and business premises.

Mr Smith said the fires gained local and national attention at the time.

Some blazes were small, others had been large and several had occurred on the same night.

No one was hurt during the series of fires which were lit mainly late at night or in the early hours of the morning and kept the local volunteer fire brigade on high alert for six months.

The Crown expects to call up to 40 civilian and police witnesses during the hearing, which will continue today and for three days next week.

Van Haaren, who has not yet entered a plea, is being held in custody.