Police have grave concerns for a 15-year-old girl who has told her family she is being held against her will by a man who has ties to the wider Bay of Plenty area.
Police said they want to speak to Dean Wayne Whakatau, 36, who is believed to have been with LA Tukerangi as recently as yesterday morning.
LA made contact with a family member on Saturday asking for help and indicating that she was being held against her will.
A warrant is out for Whakatau's arrest for breach of release conditions and the public are warned not to approach him.
![Police said they want to speak to Dean Wayne Whakatau. Photo / Supplied via Police](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/E3MAITLUWX7GVPBFJDHPCIIHOQ.jpg?auth=31b69072f8ddbe396dc311a04112719149a1133be99016a13b4aa4660c3f872f&width=16&height=23&quality=70&smart=true)