Police fears grow for missing woman

Police fears are growing for the safety of an elderly woman who disappeared in west Auckland on Saturday.

Jeanette Mary Alder, also known as Jeannette Gay, 80, was last seen at a Parakai resthome and police believe she may have got on to a bus and headed into the central city.

Senior Sergeant Glen Atkins said her health was giving police "serious cause for concern.

"She has been described as quite unsteady on her feet and she ordinarily uses a mobility scooter or walking stick."

She had some money and access to money and had gone missing on a previous occasion.

However, she had now been gone three nights and police were anxious to hear from anyone who may have seen her to call them.

She was wearing a maroon jersey, with a white shirt underneath, dark trousers and dark shoes.

She is Caucasian, of heavy build with short grey hair.

The last confirmed sighting was at 10am on Saturday by a caregiver at the rest home but Mr Atkins said a woman fitting her description was seen taking a bus which left Parakai at 10.47am.

The bus driver confirmed the woman got off the bus at the stop outside the downtown shopping complex in Albert St in downtown Auckland.

Mr Atkins said searches resumed in Parakai and in downtown Auckland today.

- NZPA