Patch-up reopens PM's firebombed office

John Key's west Auckland electorate office. Photo / Bradley Ambrose

Prime Minister John Key says he has no idea why his Auckland electorate office was firebombed early yesterday morning.

"I'm not going to speculate on the reasons, I simply don't know why," he said. "I don't think it's extensive damage. My staff are cleaning up, some repairs will be required."

Mr Key said no one was in the building when it was attacked about 3am, but it was upsetting for staff.

"It's the first time I've had any damage done to my electorate office in the seven years I've been there," he said.

"It could be a random individual who decided they had nothing better to do at that time of the morning."

Mr Key said he was not aware of any threats having been made against him and there were no indications it was politically motivated.

"There's a patch-up job going on so it can be back in operation, hopefully this afternoon or early tomorrow."

Police and fire safety officers are investigating the attack on the office northwest of Auckland.

A small fire broke out when an object was thrown into the office in Main Road, Kumeu.

Fire Service northern communications shift manager Megan Ruru said 111 calls were made by two members of the public.

"We were originally told it was just a house on fire, but the second call, from a neighbour, advised us it was John Key's office," she said.

Ms Ruru said it appeared something was thrown through a window which caused a small fire.

Two fire appliances attended and those firefighters were able to extinguish the fire before it got out of the room into which the object was thrown.

A senior fire safety officer arrived at the scene about 8am to investigate the cause of the fire.

Police were also investigating the attack. A police spokesman said there would be no comment.

The office is on State Highway 16, a busy road used by commuters from Helensville and the Kumeu-Huapai area to Auckland.

Kumeu is within the Helensville electorate which Mr Key represents.

The attack is not the first on the electorate office of a prime minister.

In 2004 an axe attack was made on the Auckland electorate office of then prime minister Helen Clark.

- NZPA