"The man tried to entice her into his car," Mr Gillbanks said.
"He never got out of his car so he didn't physically touch her or anything, he called [to her] out the window," Mr Gillbanks said.
The man invited the 8-year-old to go with him to an address and after she refused, he made some "inappropriate comments".
"She knew about stranger danger and went straight to her father's workplace and told him and he phoned the police."
The man was described as having dark or tanned skin with a short, greying goatee and short grey or white hair.
He was driving a four-door sedan that was dark in colour.
"It's very concerning because we don't know what his motives are," he said.
He praised the girl's actions and said she did "everything right".
"She's a very brave young lady and she's given us a pretty good description to work with. She's done everything right."
Papamoa Primary School principal Phil Friar said the student was "doing well".
"It's not the first time this has happened and it would be lovely if this was the last, but what people can do in these instances is raise awareness in the school and encourage children to talk to their parents about being safe around strangers," he said.
Many school students walk to and from Papamoa Primary.
The school has a walking school bus programme, which has been operating for about seven years, Mr Friar said.
Walking school bus volunteer and parent Tracey McGrath said it was concerning to hear about the incident.
She spoke to her three children on Tuesday night about being safe on the street after a text circulated among Papamoa Primary School parents.
Papamoa Primary school parent Charlotte Pell said she always kept a close eye on her 5-year-old but after the attempted abduction, she would watch her like a hawk.
"It's very scary. It's disgusting really," she said.
"[My daughter] is only 5 so she would be quite blase about it. I have tried to talk to her but even so I won't let her out of my sight.
"I'm quite protective of her ... and this has given me a reason to be more careful."
Parents of students at Te Akau Ki Papamoa School have been informed of the incident via a newsletter, a staff member said.
Police are calling on members of the public to contact them if they saw the incident or could offer any information surrounding the event.
There have been two previous attempted abductions in the Papamoa area, one in 2010 and another in 2005.
"There doesn't appear to be any links to any other incidents," Western Bay of Plenty Police Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair said.
Contact Detective Sergeant Brazier of the Mount Maunganui police on 07 5753-143, or information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
