Suspect on run

It was the middle of the day in the one of the country's busiest police stations - but that didn't stop a suspect walking out of his cell.

Heath Matehare, 30, was arrested in connection with a domestic violence incident on Thursday morning and taken to Auckland Central police station.

He was being held in the cells when he escaped at 11.20am on Thursday. Last night he was still on the run.

Detective Sergeant Mark Franich would not be drawn on how Matehare, who is described as solid and about 1.8m tall, got out.

"When prisoners escape it is referred to the Independent Police Complaints Authority and they are investigating," he said.

The Police Professional Standards Unit was also investigating.

Franich said it was "hard to gauge" where Matehare would be heading.

He is understood to have relatives and contacts in South Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

"He could be anywhere."

Franich said Matehare was unlikely to be dangerous but advised people not to approach him.

When he escaped he was wearing jeans and a black T-shirt with white writing over a white long-sleeve top.