Family of missing teen Leah Cooper - who has left Australia and flown back to New Zealand - say they are "in shock". Photo / Supplied
Family of missing teen Leah Cooper - who has left Australia and flown back to New Zealand - say they are "in shock". Photo / Supplied
New Zealand police are urging a Kiwi teen who fled her Australian-based family and returned here to contact them.
And they also want anyone who knows where she is to get in touch with them.
The Herald revealed on Friday night that the Kiwi teenager was missing after she boardeda flight from Australia to New Zealand without her family knowing.
Leah Cooper, aged 15, who is believed to be in the Whakatāne area.
Her immediate family, who recently moved to Queensland from New Zealand, are worried about Cooper's welfare and question who facilitated her transtasman trip.
They initially went to Queensland Police when it was thought she was still in the Australian state. Since then, it has been discovered she has flown back to New Zealand and authorities here are now seeking information.
"NZ Police ... received confirmation from Australia of a missing person's report made there," a police spokesperson said.
"Contact has been made with Leah's family, and NZ Police urge Leah to make contact with us so we know she is safe and well.
"Anyone with information can contact Police on 105."
The girl's aunty Danielle Waka last night told the Herald they were "in shock" over her departure.
"My concern is whoever is funding this has nasty thoughts."
Police on both sides of the Tasman have been seeking information about the missing teen. Photo / NZME
Cooper, her mother and six other whānau members arrived in Australia from Kawerau on June 18.
After a week of holidaying on the Gold Coast, they settled in the city of Gladstone where Waka lived.
None of the family expressed significant discontent at relocating, according to Waka.
Cooper had said she was missing her friends in New Zealand, but said nothing that indicated she was planning to flee.
Yesterday, some of the family went to the beach but Cooper stayed behind.
On their way to the shops on return from the beach, Waka said they passed Cooper walking along the road towards home, leading the family to believe that's where she was headed.
When they arrived home about 5pm, they found Cooper was not there and then raised the alarm - reporting her as a missing person and hitting the streets.
Waka's home was only a few minutes' drive from the Gladstone airport.
Queensland police were yesterday morning unaware Cooper had left Gladstone but by noon officers informed the family she had flown with Qantas from Gladstone to Brisbane.
While delivering the news, the officers were notified Cooper had boarded another flight - this time from Brisbane to Auckland, landing sometime in the afternoon.
"[The officers] were shocked, we were shocked, I still can't understand it," Waka said.
Cooper's family wasn't sure of her movements after landing in Auckland, but they suspected the former Trident High School student had returned to the Whakatāne area.
