Police are appealing for the public's help in tracing a wanted fraudster who has managed to elude the authorities for 18 months.
Tony Edwin Meihana Hartley failed to appear before Wanganui District Court on 19 September 2007 and at the Marton District Court no 18 October 2007 where he faced 32 charges of fraud.
There is also a Parole Board Warrant for his immediate recall to prison as he has also failed to appear at a parole board hearing on 7 September 2007.
It is believed that Hartley, who uses a number of other names including Anthony Edward Hartley, Gregory Mulligan and Tony Lorenzo, is not only still in New Zealand but is also still offending.
Information suggests that he continues to use other people's identities to create false documents.
He is known to have links to the Auckland area and information suggests he may recently have been staying on the South Island.
Hartley is also known for altering his appearance, changing his hair style and colour, facial hair, and even using contact lenses to change his eye colour.
He is part Maori, although he could be easily mistaken at a glance as being from Europe or the Mediterranean. Hey may even use accents to disguise his identity. He is about 170cm tall, thin to medium build and may on occasion wear glasses. He is usually tidy and well presented although this may also change.
Anyone with information about Hartley's whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Felicity Mansell at Feilding Police on 06 323 6555.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.