Police are investigating a suspicious car fire in Pāpāmoa.

A vehicle, believed to be stolen, was left burnt out on the beach on Tuesday morning.

Residents in the area reported seeing a car ablaze on Pāpāmoa Beach in the early hours of yesterday.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand were alerted to the incident at 6.48am. Police say they were made aware of a burnt-out vehicle at around 6.50am.

'The car was reported to be near the Taylor Reserve in an area known as the boat ramp,” says a police spokesperson.

'The vehicle is believed to have been stolen and the fire is being treated as suspicious. The investigation is ongoing.”

Police state a tow was requested for the vehicle.