KEY POINTS:
Marianne Tarawa is tired.
For the last eight nights she has struggled to sleep.
Miss Tarawa's 11-year-old niece, Gemma Williams, ran away from her Mt Roskill home last Wednesday.
Police say it was a typical family dispute that triggered her disappearance.
The night before, Gemma was caught smoking.
She was told off and sent to bed about 8.30pm.
When Miss Tarawa woke the next morning at 5.30 she found the bathroom door locked.
The smell of cigarette smoke led her to believe Gemma was inside.
"I left her for about 20 minutes," Miss Tarawa said.
Then she and Gemma's cousin forced the door, to find the bathroom empty and the window open.
Nor was there any sign of Gemma in her bedroom.
Miss Tarawa called police that morning.
Since then, a team of about 30 search and rescue staff and members of Gemma's family including her mother, have scoured central city parks and Pukekohe for her.
Flyers have been distributed and inquiries made and still police and her family only have questions over her whereabouts.
The worst part for Miss Tarawa is "not knowing".
It is possible Gemma believes she is in trouble and doesn't want to be found.
It is also possible someone is helping her hide and, if that is the case, Miss Tarawa has a message for them: "Bring her home. Contact the nearest police station."
Gemma moved from Pukekohe to live with Miss Tarawa and her seven cousins 11 days ago for family reasons.
It appeared she had only taken a black bag with a spare pair of jeans when she ran away.
Gemma's mother was "not coping" with her daughter's disappearance and family and police were concerned because Gemma had no money, Miss Tarawa said.
She is described as head-strong and confident with people.
The officer in charge of the case, Sergeant Steve Williams of Balmoral, said it was possible Gemma had tried begging for money and he asked anyone who had seen her to call police.
"She really needs to be found so everyone's not looking for her. It will relieve some stress," Mr Williams said.
Have you seen Gemma?
* Gemma Williams is a small Maori girl, thin build, 140-150cm tall.
* She was last seen wearing an army-type jacket with fur-lined hood, blue jeans, a black hooded sweatshirt under the jacket and red/black Converse lace-up sneakers.
* Call Sergeant Steve Williams (09) 6311026.
