Missing woman search halted as man arrested

A man police have been seeking over the disappearance of Palmerston North woman Selina Chapman has been arrested and police have called off their search for her.

Detective Sergeant Dave Clifford said today Ms Chapman telephoned her mother yesterday.

"From that call we were pretty happy she was OK," he said.

Police raised concerns earlier this week after they thought Ms Chapman was being held against her will by her former boyfriend Daniel Tuilaepa, 29, whom she had reportedly broken up with a week earlier.

Ms Chapman had filed an assault complaint against Tuilaepa last week.

"At about 4.30 he arrived at the Porirua office yesterday to hand himself in ," he said.

Tuilaepa was subsequently charged with common assault.

Mr Clifford said he was expecting Ms Chapman to return to Palmerston North today and would be talking to her to find out what had gone on over the past four days.

"We're satisfied she's well, but obviously we have got to speak to her to get her position," he said.

"Her parents have been very upset and they've had family ringing them from all round the country. It's been a difficult time for them."

He said Tuilaepa was due to appear in court in Porirua today.

- NZPA