Police have a warrant for his arrest and appealed for sightings.
Detective Sergeant Darren Pritchard said Rangi was dangerous and the public should not approach him.
"We have been searching various properties in the area looking for him, including Wanganui where he has family connections. We would urge anyone who sees this man to notify police immediately and not to approach him,'' Mr Pritchard said.
Police also had concerns for the safety of Rangi's victim, who police had not been able to contact.
The court was told yesterday that Rangi's attack on his partner, in Wanganui in September, happened during a visit to his parents.
The woman had tried to take a drink off him before he lashed out.
She instinctively hit him back, triggering the violent assault in which he punched her at least a dozen times in the face.
To stop her screaming, he removed her scarf and stuffed it into her mouth.
Unable to overpower him and unable to breathe, she bit his finger. In retaliation he bit her arm, then her cheek.
The bite to her face was done with such force skin was left hanging from her face.
The woman suffered severe injuries from the attack, including an infected arm, scars to her face and arm from the bites, a cut lip, bloody nose and bruising.