KEY POINTS:
Police have released a picture of a man they are seeking in connection with the vicious rape of a woman while her terrified mother was tied up in the wardrobe unable to help.
Teanewa Joseph Ipo is 29, 1.75m tall, of medium build with brown eyes and is believed to have shaven his hair.
Police say he has ties in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty and they believe Ipo, who is also known as Newa, might be hiding out with his brother.
Counties Manukau acting crime manager Detective Inspector John Tims said a warrant for Ipo's arrest on the charge of sexual violation by way of rape was issued following a scene examination by ESR scientists and fingerprint experts.
"As a result of the investigation we are now in a position where we want to investigate Teanewa Ipo," he said. "He is known to police and we are actively hunting him as we speak, but we do need the assistance of the public to find him.
"There is an arrest warrant out for him and the charge is sexual violation by rape so he should be approached with caution."
The home invasion took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning while the 46-year-old victim was sleeping at her Panama Rd home in Otahuhu.
Police say the woman's 67-year-old mother went to investigate after hearing a commotion and found her daughter being attacked. The mother was also assaulted before being tied up and thrown in the wardrobe while her daughter was raped.
The daughter was then tied up and thrown in the wardrobe with her mother while the attacker fled the weatherboard home which backs on to Flat Rock Reserve and the Otahuhu Creek. The women managed to untie themselves and call for help.
They were given medical assistance and the younger woman was treated in hospital for facial injuries.
As workmen were at the front of the property fixing a broken water main, it is believed the attacker entered and exited the home at the back of the house.
Neighbours told the Herald they did not know anything about the attack until they saw police arrive and cordon off the house. They said an Asian woman bought the house last year and her mother had come to live with her in December.
Mr Tims said both victims were still recovering from their ordeal and were being helped by victim support. Their home remained cordoned off yesterday.
Neighbours have been spoken to about the attack but Mr Tims asked anyone with information - either about the attack or Ipo's whereabouts - to contact police on a special hotline: 0800 JOLSON (0800 565 766).
