Concerns are growing for the safety of 13 year old Topine Horomona who has been missing for nearly a week after he was last seen on Ridgeway Street, Whanganui on Tuesday 12 August, 2014.
Initial information police received suggested he may have gone to visit some family members, however officers have contacted both his family members in Whanganui and Auckland and they have not seen him.
Senior Sergeant Paul Baskett says: "Topine was dropped off at his karate lesson at approximately 5:30pm and despite our inquiries and appeals and the efforts from his family and local media, we have not been able to locate him."
Police has also been speaking with Topine's caregiver and family to understand his behaviour prior to him going missing.
"We have been in contact with his caregiver and family to understand his behaviour prior to his disappearance. The information we have received has suggested he may have been planning to runaway as he has taken an extra set of clothing with him which is out of his normal routine.
"All we want to know is that he is safe. His caregiver and family are sick with worry about him and just want to know he is well.
"We are greatly appreciative of the community's support but we still want to speak to anyone who has any information about Topine's whereabouts or has seen him and I encourage them to contact police immediately," says Senior Sergeant Baskett.
Topine is described as being of Maori descent, approximately 5 foot 6 inches tall, with dark brown hair, and brown eyes.
At the time he was last seen he was wearing a Kai Iwi School yellow and black zip up shirt, black shorts, and green and black scuffs.
He also had blue Canterbury tracksuit pants and a green hunting and fishing top with him.
If anyone knows of Topine's whereabouts or has seen him please contact the Whanganui Police Station on (06) 349 0600.
ENDS
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.
