A west Auckland resident was forced to watch on as his family car was completely gutted after someone set it on fire.
Irvin Beatty, 31, was woken by his elderly mum in the early hours of Friday after she heard the sound of the car burning outside their house in Henderson.
Their Honda Accord was in flames in the driveway, about two metres from their house.
The family moved to New Zealand from Dubai in 2004, which is when they purchased the car.
Mr Beatty said he saw someone standing next to the burning car, before getting into their own and speeding off.
He thinks that the person fled the scene after seeing his mum.
"New Zealand is supposed to be a safe country but when you see these types of attacks against their own citizens it is shocking," Mr Beatty told Newshub.
Mr Beatty said it was lucky his mum woke up as the fire was very close to their house.
"It's quite disturbing that this can happen in a residential area, where families live," Mr Beatty said.
"I believe it's just cruel people that have done this to us."
Fire and Emergency NZ were quick to respond and put the fire out, which Mr Beatty said was lucky because of how close the car was to their property.
Police are investigating but would not comment to Newshub.
Newshub.
