Auckland Police are investigating a deliberately lit fire at a New Lynn mosque

They say CCTV footage shows a person allegedly broke in to the building on Astley Ave just before 1am and lit the fire.

Detective Inspector Callum McNeill says it smouldered until just after 9am when it became visible and emergency services were called.

He says they're still looking into a possible motive and cannot say at this point, if it's a hate-related crime.

But McNeil says they're following positive lines of enquiry to locate the person responsible.