Police believe fugitive rapist in Wellington

Mark Renata. Photo / Supplied

Police believe convicted double rapist Maka Renata, who allegedly breached his parole conditions in Christchurch, may now be in Wellington.

Renata, 24, last month completed jail terms for the two rapes -- one when he was just 14 years-old.

He was released from prison under several conditions, determined by the Parole Board.

However, on December 23 he left the Christchurch address the board had ordered him to live at and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Detective Senior Sergeant Virginia Le Bas said police had received some good information which was being followed up.

"The most positive information suggests that Maka is in the Wellington area," she said.

Members of the public had called in with information about Renata being seen in other parts of New Zealand, however these sightings have been ruled out, she said.

Police are calling for Maka Renata a convicted double rapist to turn himself in, amid fears he may reoffend while on the run.

Anyone who might have seen Maka or who was perhaps providing him with assistance should contact their nearest police station immediately, Ms Le Bas said.

Renata, a medium build Maori, 166cm tall, was jailed for seven-and-half years after being convicted of rape committed in June 1999 when he was 14.

He and his foster father Dean Hiroki dragged a 26-year-old Wellington woman into an alley where they held a knife to her throat and took turns raping her.

He was sentenced to an extra three years in jail after sodomising his 15-year-old cellmate about 16 months later.

He was due to be freed more than two years ago but the Department of Corrections applied for a special Parole Act order to keep him in jail until his final release date.

- NZPA