Police capture fugitive William Morris

William Morris

Auckland police have recaptured a dangerous fugitive they have been hunting for weeks.

William (Wiremu) Morris had been wanted in connection with charges of kidnapping and threatening to kill.

The Armed Offenders Squad was called to an address in the Auckland suburb of Avondale shortly before six this morning.


Detective Senior Sergeant John Sutton said Morris gave himself up after a voice appeal from the squad. No shots were fired.


Mr Sutton said police received information yesterday about the car Morris had been seen driving.


The Subaru Legacy was located at the Avondale house, which Morris was known to visit.


Firearms were found in the vehicle, but not on Morris, who was due to appear in Waitakere District Court later today on a number of charges.


Mr Sutton said a search warrant had been issued on the house and police were interviewing the occupants.


He said information from members of the public had played a significant part in locating Morris.


"The capture of Morris has been a huge effort and this a very positive resolution."


The search escalated a fortnight ago after he threatened people in a west Auckland house with a shotgun and discharged a firearm in Avondale.

Police said at the time that Morris, whose appearance is distinctive because he has a full facial moko, was armed and was a user of the drug P.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA