KEY POINTS:
Police are anxious to find a 14-year-old girl who they believe has run off with a 41-year-old man.
Mt Maunganui College student Julie Davis disappeared a week ago and police believe she is with Craig Howard, a holiday park employee from the Waikato.
Julie's family reported her missing and Tauranga police last night made an urgent appeal for sightings of the 14-year-old and Mr Howard.
"I am concerned exactly what is involved in this relationship," Detective Constable Pete Sweeney said. "But the first and foremost and absolute priority is that we get her home."
Mr Sweeney said the pair were not related and although neither he nor her family knew if the relationship was sexual, they both viewed it as inappropriate.
"They are uncomfortable about their friendship and I am very uncomfortable about their friendship."
He said Julie had met Mr Howard while the family were staying at the holiday park where he worked, and they had struck up a friendship.
"It appears that she's with him because she wants to be with him. Her family are obviously concerned that that is the case because they're concerned it's not a natural friendship."
Mr Sweeney said Julie's disappearance was out of character, as she had no history of going missing from home.
Mr Howard has a police record, but Mr Sweeney said he had concerns for Julie's welfare rather than safety.
"I don't expect that she'll come to harm and I think that she's with him willingly as opposed to against her will."
Julie was last seen by school friends walking along Topaz Drive in Papamoa at 3.45pm last Friday.
There have been two further unconfirmed sightings of her and Mr Howard in the Waikato and Coromandel.
Mr Sweeney urged the pair to contact police. He also called on the public to report sightings of them.
Julie Davis, 14
Last seen wearing her Mt Maunganui College uniform of red top and grey skirt.
Craig Howard, 41
Maori, 1.75m tall, medium build and speaks with a slight lisp. Believed to be driving a grey 1989 Subaru Legacy station wagon, registration UE4661.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tauranga police on (07) 577-4300 or 0800 Speakup.
