Kaitaia police hunt gunman

Kaitaia police want to hear from anyone who may have seen a security guard being abducted at gunpoint in the town's main street on Tuesday afternoon.

A pistol-toting robber forced the 42-year-old Security North guard to drive his company's vehicle to a remote quarry 8km south of Kaitaia.

Detective Sergeant Mark Robertson of the Kaitaia CIB said the guard's hands were then bound behind his back with plastic handcuffs and his feet were tied with tape.

A number of bags of cash were taken from the security vehicle before the robber was joined by a second person in another car.

The pair then drove from the quarry with the cash bags.

Police found the security guard in Ruaroa Road quarry soon afterwards.

He was released by Mr Robertson who said the guard was distressed but had not been physically injured.

He did not require medical treatment and no shots had been fired.

Police want to hear from anyone who was in Commerce Street, Kaitaia, near the Farmers store between 2.15 and 2.45pm on Tuesday.

Police are also appealing for witnesses who noticed anything unusual at Ruaroa Rd quarry to come forward.

During the incident, the guard - who had been making cash bag pickups from businesses in the town - was driving a blue and white sign-written Security North vehicle.

Anyone with information should contact Mr Robertson at Kaitaia police on (09) 4086515.