Pair on run after Christchurch escape

A man who was jailed for arson attacks in southeast Queensland is on the run from New Zealand police after escaping a Christchurch residential centre for just-released prisoners.

Ivan Andrew Campbell, 46, absconded from the Salisbury Street Foundation early on Wednesday morning along with Jaydon Galland, 18.

Police are appealing for information from the New Zealand public, saying the pair are high-risk offenders who should not be approached.

Two sightings in the greater Christchurch area were reported to police on Thursday night, Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Hill said.

"We know the men have connections in the city as well as in Ashburton and the West Coast," he said.

"We are keeping all options open as to their possible location or movements at this stage."

In June, the heavily-tattooed Campbell was paroled to live at Salisbury Street Foundation after serving an 11-year sentence.

He was jailed in 2001 for holding a 14-year-old boy captive in a cupboard for seven days of sadistic sex, involving branding, tattooing and piercing.

In 1991, he was jailed for a similar attack on a 13-year-old boy.

Both of those attacks occurred in New Zealand.

In 1996, Campbell was jailed in Australia for nine years for arson attacks on a Salvation Army men's hostel and a business centre at Beaudesert, southwest of Brisbane.

Campbell is described as Caucasian, 177cm tall, and of medium-thin build. He has extensive tattoos on his face, neck, and arms.

Police did not outline Galland's record, but his Facebook page features pictures of Nazi soldiers and anti-police statements.

Galland is described as Caucasian, 177cm tall, of medium build.