Photo: Supplied / Police

Police have launched a homicide investigation after a fire in the Northland town of Tikipunga last month.

Whangārei man Hoani Reupena-Tuoro, known to friends and whānau as John Reuben, was found dead in the fire.

“Police enquiries have now established that this was an arson and subsequently, this is now being treated as a homicide investigation,” Detective Senior Sergeant John Clayton said.

Police are looking for the public’s help to identify a person captured on CCTV in the Te Kura Kaupapa school at the rear of the Thomas Street property that was set alight.

Police want to speak with this person captured on CCTV footage in relation to the fire at the Northland house.
Photo: Supplied / Police

The fire was reported just before 3.10am on 29 April.

“We would still like to hear from anyone who knows who started this fire, or saw anyone in the area that night between the hours of 1.30am through to 3.30am.”