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Auckland's bright lights proved more attractive than the Taranaki town of Waitara for a teenager reported missing from Nelson since Friday.
Arlo Harrison, also known as Arlo Ellis-Harrison, caused his family some concern after disappearing while heading from to Waitara, 16km northeast of New Plymouth, to visit his father on Friday.
Detective Constable Gerard Boutery, of Waitara police, told NZPA the 19-year-old had been identified in Auckland today.
Mr Harrison's Sydney-based mother had booked and paid for his trip from Nelson to Waitara. He had been staying with family members in Nelson for about a year.
Police and his family became concerned when he disappeared and hadn't used his bank account since Friday. He had checked in for ferry travel from Picton to Wellington, but Interislander operator Toll had been unable to confirm that he made it aboard for the 1.15pm sailing.
Mr Bouterey said Mr Harrison had met some people on the ferry and travelled with them in a campervan to Auckland.
Someone on the ferry had seen a person matching Mr Harrison's description and overheard a conversation mentioning Auckland. His mother provided police with telephone numbers for his friends there.
Mr Bouterey said he'd spoken to Mr Harrison who had gone to Auckland police station where he was positively identified from a tattoo.
"He was very apologetic," Mr Bouterey said.
"He's a 19-year-old who's thinking better of it.
"It was pretty inconsiderate, really."
Mr Harrison told police he would be heading to his father's Waitara property tonight or tomorrow.
- NZPA
