Hunt for man with sword, axe and knife

A Palmerston North man with a history of mental illness is on the loose with a samurai sword, flick knife and an axe.

The 20-year-old fled in a stolen car after a dispute with his ex-girlfriend, Constable Dave Wilson said.

"We went to the address because his partner had fears for her safety and he was in possession of a samurai sword, a flick knife and an axe."

By the time police arrived, the man, a slim Caucasian with a shaved head, had fled in a blue 1984 Mitsubishi Sigma belonging to the woman's parents.

"At this stage he's still out and about and we're definitely keen to have him looked at by mental health professionals for his own safety and the safety of his family."

He is not considered a danger to the public "at this stage".

The man has no fixed abode, few friends in Palmerston North and police have no clues as to where he might be heading, he said.

- nzpa