Dispute over Mexted bach fire

Fire investigators and insurers are in dispute over how former All Black Murray Mexted's Mahanga bach burned down.

Fire risk management officer Mike Finucane believes the fire started in one place, but the private investigator employed by Mr Mexted's insurance company believes it started in two.

Buildings on the Judges Pde property, near Mahia, burned down on March 4. The property is owned by Mr Mexted and business partners Paul Williams and Servaas Van Breda Malherbe, who have plans for a contentious six-lot subdivision.

Mr Mexted said on Thursday that someone had once remarked to him, "We don't want another Blue Bay, do we Murray?", in reference to an unresolved arson at another controversial development 10 kilometres away.

Detective Sergeant John McCarthy, of Wairoa, said the fire was being treated as suspicious but there was no evidence of arson.

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