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Police investigating the rape of a German tourist near Raglan last month have issued a composite picture of the suspect.
Police said the 43-year-old woman was threatened by a man with a knife and raped while visiting a scenic area on Friday, December 15 - the last day of her holiday before returning to Germany.
The rape took place on a walkway at Te Toto Gorge Lookout Scenic Reserve in Whaanga Rd.
The woman parked her rented Suzuki Swift in the reserve carpark and was five minutes into a walk and in a secluded area when the man approached her from behind, police said.
She later drove to the Raglan police station and raised the alarm but a language barrier meant it took some time for police to establish what had happened.
Last month Waikato police communications manager Kris McGehan said police had not wanted to go public until they clarified the details.
"The victim, who has since returned to Germany, spoke limited English and a translator had to be brought in [the next day]," Ms McGehan said.
The sketch is believed to be a good likeness of the rapist, based on a witness account.
The man's hair is believed to be grey/blond, possibly sun-bleached.
"We are looking for a male in his 30s or early 40s, approximately 170cm in height with an athletic body and olive skin. This could be tanned or natural colouring," a Huntly police spokesman said yesterday.
"We are also searching for a four-door, square-shaped vehicle, light coloured from the late '70s or '80s.
"It has been described as being white/silver or pale green."
Police say two people have given them information about a person driving along the road from the reserve "like a bat out of hell" towards Raglan soon after 5pm - after the attack.
Anyone with any information or possible suspects is asked to contact the Huntly police on (07) 828-7560 or Raglan police on (07) 825-8200.
- NZPA
