Desperate search fails to turn up missing student

A desperate search by family and friends has failed to find any trace of missing university student Daniel Hansman since he disappeared in central Wellington five days ago.

Mr Hansman, 19, from New Plymouth, has not been seen since he was out drinking with friends in Wellington's Courtenay Place last Thursday. A flatmate reported him missing on Friday night.

Mr Hansman's parents, Eddie and Jean, and his friends have distributed hundreds of flyers around Wellington asking for information.

Eddie Hansman said he believed his son was either injured, or had been taken off the streets against his will.

"We have no leads. We know nothing, absolutely nothing . It's been five days and we still don't know any more. It's nothing but a mystery. It's just not him," Eddie Hansman told the Taranaki Daily News.

Mrs Hansman described her son as a placid, tolerant and patient teenager who hated arguments and avoided conflict at all costs.

His friends had set up a website, finddanielhansman.tk, asking for information about his whereabouts.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Cotter, of Wellington CIB, earlier said it was out of character for Mr Hansman not to make contact.

Mr Cotter said Mr Hansman had been out with two female friends and a male friend on Thursday night.

"We understand that Daniel was intoxicated. The women were allowed into a bar but both Daniel and the other male in the group were refused entry.

"The boys both tried several other bars without success. His friend went to a toilet and when he finished and looked around, Daniel was nowhere to be seen."

Mr Hansman is described as a European, 177cm tall, of medium build, has blue eyes and has very dark brown to black medium length hair.

- NZPA