At approximately 9am this morning, police received a phone call from a member of the public reporting a possible sighting of the Toyota Corolla linked to missing LA Tukerangi at an address east of Te Kaha.
As a result of this telephone call, police located LA safe a short time later. Police have arranged for her to have a full medical assessment but she does not appear to be physically injured and is currently in the care of police. Her family have been updated
A 36-year-old man has been arrested without incident on unrelated matters and is in police custody. The Toyota Corolla being sought in relation to this investigation has been located and recovered.
Detective Senior Sergeant Zane Smith, said: "We are incredibly pleased to have been able to contact LA's family this morning with news that their daughter was safe. One of the first things that LA wanted to do was speak to her family by telephone which we arranged.
"LA's family has asked us to express on their behalf that they are very happy and relieved that she has been found and they want to thank everyone who has supported them over the last few days. They are really looking forward to seeing her soon.
"Although LA has been located safe; there is still a great deal of work to do. We will have specialists interviewers speak with LA in detail to piece together events over the last couple of weeks and to establish if any criminal offences have been committed. This work is likely to take some days and it is not appropriate for me to make further comment on this work until it is complete.
"I do want to express my sincere thanks to the community for their assistance. Without the overwhelming public response over the last few days we may not have located LA as quickly as we have."
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.