A man arrested in Tauranga accused of setting fires in Piha will remain behind bars until his next court appearance.

The 19-year-old Piha man was granted interim name suppression when he made a brief appearance in Tauranga District Court this morning.

Waitakere Police area commander Inspector Scott Webb says police arrested the man in relation to two fires which were among a spate of fires in Piha over the past nine days.

The man faces three arson charges and one burglary charge which relates to a fire at a local fish and chip store and a large scrub fire adjacent to the store.

The third arson charge relates to a fire that occurred in the Auckland city area within the same period.

In court today, Counsel Bruce Hesketh asked for the name suppression saying there have been threats made on social media.

After a discussion with all parties involved, Judge David Cameron granted the request, saying that was not an indication the suppression order would continue through to trial, after the man's court appearance on Monday.

A summary of facts states the first fire on May 4 was at the ANZ Viaduct Event Centre where the man is alleged to have set fire to a paper recycling bin.

The rubbish was next to gas cylinders used for cooking. At the time there were 934 guests attending a function at the centre, say police.

Just after midnight on May 7, an accelerant was used to start a fire near the Tasman View walkway.

It developed into a large forest fire that threatened the safety of houses in the area. Residents had to be evacuated for their safety.

The fire destroyed seven hectares of the reserve and required the efforts of numerous fire-fighting staff, their appliances, plus helicopters and monsoon buckets, say court documents.

The 19-year-old is also accused of setting fire to Adey's Place, a takeaway shop located between a house and the Piha Surf Life Saving Club.

The surf club has a residential flat at the rear.

According to court documents, someone entered the shop and set it on fire. The fire caused extensive damage and significant financial loss to the business owner and the building owner. The fire threatened neighbouring properties and their occupiers.

Police say the accused admitted hiding out by the rubbish area at the viaduct Event Centre to smoke cannabis, but told them he could not possibly have started the fire.

He is denying responsibility for the Piha fires, but is yet to enter a plea in court.