A person of interest in the burning of a church in Avondale, July 2025. Photo: Supplied
Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to in relation to a fire that significantly damaged a school's church in Auckland this week.
The fire broke out at St Mary's Church on Great North Road in Avondale in the early hours of Monday morning.
Police say they are seeking the public's help to identify a man captured on security cameras.
Anyone with info was urged to call 105 and cite reference number 250714/2083, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
General manager of the Catholic Diocese of Auckland James van Schie on Monday said he was "absolutely shocked and devastated".
"The tragic loss of their beloved church is a great sadness for the Catholic community of St Mary's Avondale."
A blaze gutted the church at Saint Mary's Catholic School in Avondale, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Victor Waters
He said the parish was established in 1921 and the church itself was rebuilt in the late 1950s.
He also said at the time he was hopeful CCTV could help provide clues on the cause of the fire.
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