KEY POINTS:
Police have issued an urgent appeal for information after a five-and-a-half year-old girl was abducted by a masked man while playing this afternoon.
Xin Xin Ma was riding her bike on the footpath outside her home in Harrowglen, on Auckland's North Shore, when she was abducted about 12.30pm, police said.
"A masked man who was the sole occupant and driver of an unidentified silver car has stopped and grabbed the girl and put her into the vehicle," Detective Senior Sergeant Kim Libby said.
The car then left the scene at high speed.
Police have been talking to Xin Xin's parents and her eight-year-old cousin, who witnessed the abduction.
Mr Libby said police were unsure if the abduction was planned, but that the house was in an out-of-the-way area, which means Xin Xin - sometimes referred to by police as Cina Ma - could have been targeted.
Xin Xin's house and nearby streets have been cordoned off while officers carry out door-to-door enquiries, speaking to neighbours and friends of the family.
Police said they had notified airport authorities of Xin Xin's abduction and distributed her photo to necessary staff.
Anyone with information on the missing girl is asked to contact the North Shore CIB urgently on 09 477 5000 - or - the Confidential Text Line 027 27 27 699.
- NZHERALD STAFF
