Fears grow for missing girl, 15

Police are searching Wellington parks and reserves for a missing teenage schoolgirl as fears grow for her safety.

Fifteen-year-old Olivia Rutherford was last seen in downtown Wellington about 6pm on Friday.

A yellow and white coloured bag she was carrying was later handed in to a bank in Johnsonville and police want to find the person who found it.

Police said they held today they held grave concerns for Olivia who may be in a distressed state.

She is described as a light skinned European of thin build, about 160cm (5ft 3in) tall, with strawberry blonde hair and blue coloured dental brace.

She was wearing blue jeans, white T-shirt and a blue cardigan.

Police said they were talking to her family and friends and checking out CCTV around the city but appealed to anyone who had seen Olivia, or knew of her whereabouts to contact them urgently on (04) 381-2000.

- NZPA