Marae fire suspicious, say police

Six fire appliances have been called out to a large fire at a Manawatu marare. File photo / NZ Herald

Police are treating a fire at a north Manawatu marae as suspicious.

The blaze gutted the dining hall and kitchen at the Taumata o te Ra Marae in Halcombe, 13km northwest of Feilding, about 8am.

It took firefighters about 3-1/2 hours to control.

"The whare nui, or meeting house, was saved, so that's a plus," central fire communications shift manager Mike Wanoa said.

An initial investigation by fire safety officers indicated it might have been started deliberately, Detective David Burmeister of Feilding police said.

"It is an unusual time of the day for an arson attack. Although Halcombe is only a small township, it is situated on a fairly busy road and there would likely be a lot of people up and about, and traffic passing through."

Police wanted to hear from anyone who saw any vehicles parked near the marae this morning or anyone running or acting suspiciously in the area

- NZPA