North Shore Police are at Auckland Prison where a low security inmate has escaped while working outside the main fence at Paremoremo.
The prisoner has been identified as:
HEMA/Arai Whakaari
Male Maori - aged 30 years
Short black hair - Brown eyes
Height - 175 cm tall
Medium build - olive complexion
Clothing - work boots, denim shorts,
High visibility yellow jacket with no sleeves.
Police patrols began searching for the prisoner this afternoon after it was discovered he went missing from a work party outside the main perimeter.
A Police Dog Unit tracked the inmate to a nearby road where it appears he could have been picked up by a waiting vehicle.
Police ask the public to report any sightings immediately, and not to approach the fugitive.
ENDS: