Police to resume Barrier manhunt at dawn

Great Barrier Island. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Police were tonight waiting for daylight to resume a manhunt on Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf for a man alleged to have assaulted another man, and possibly abducted a teenaged girl.

Auckland city police called off their search tonight about 10.30 pm as the weather deteriorated and heavy rain fell.

A search and rescue team earlier combed the Claris area on Great Barrier, and members of the armed offenders squad were present.

Police went to the Great Barrier address at about midnight on Thursday after reports that a man had been seriously assaulted with a weapon, and suffered head wounds.

The victim was airlifted 91km to Auckland Hospital where police tonight said his condition remained stable.

A female "family associate" who was inside the house at the time of the attack has been reported missing.

"It is feared that she has been abducted," police said in a statement. "There is increasing concern for her safety and well being".

Police said that they were determined to locate the missing woman - described by local residents as being about 19-years-old - and the man alleged to have carried out the assault.

A spokeswoman said that police had yet to interview the male victim.

- NZPA