Gang pressured over fugitive

Colin Rangi Robyn Kiriona. Photo / Supplied

Police hunting an armed gang member over a string of serious domestic assaults on his estranged partner are stepping up pressure on his associates.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton, of Hamilton CIB, said police would not rest until Colin Kiriona was caught, and anyone harbouring him was brought to justice.

The hunt for the 25-year-old fugitive with a distinctive bulldog tattoo on his face began when a woman who had been held against her will fled a house in the Hamilton suburb of Nawton and raised the alarm about 8.30pm last Wednesday.

Mr Thornton said Kiriona's gang associates would face increasing pressure as the hunt continued.

"These groups prey on the rest of the community, actively intimidating them," he said.

"They need to know the boot is on the other foot and the police will be applying pressure of our own on these people as we seek to take this violent offender off the streets and into custody."

Kiriona is believed to be armed and has a history of violent offending.

He allegedly held his 31-year-old estranged partner against her will from Tuesday through to Wednesday night and seriously assaulted her.

The woman's two children, aged seven and three, were present at the time.

He was also alleged to have assaulted the woman at a Ngaruawahia address two to three weeks ago and a firearm was discharged at the property.

Kiriona was 1.75m tall, of medium build and known to be using methamphetamine, he said.

"He is armed and considered extremely dangerous," Mr Thornton said.

Police have had reports of people with similar descriptions from as far away as Christchurch.

Armed police acting on one such report stopped a green people-mover van in Ngaruawahia on Saturday. However, Kiriona was not found.

"At the end of the day Kiriona and his associates need to realise police will not rest until he is caught and anyone found harbouring him will face prosecution."

Police are asking anyone with information on Kiriona's whereabouts to contact them.

- NZPA