Tongan overstayer too quick for police

One of 14 Tongan rugby players overstaying in New Zealand gave police and immigration officials the slip after he was found hiding in a South Auckland house last night.

The 19-year-old was a member of a Tongan under-21 team who toured New Zealand last September.

Almost half the team did not turn up when the 30-strong squad checked in for their flight home. The players were declared overstayers in October.

The Herald understands the man had been staying at the Mangere home for about two months.

He was hiding in the kitchen when two Immigration Service officials assisted by police turned up at 7.30pm.

A resident said the man slipped away from the authorities and jumped three fences.

"In a split second he ran behind the cop and took off. He was flying. He was fast."

Police vehicles roamed the streets looking for him, with police dogs and the Eagle helicopter.

Sergeant Mike Schmidt of Mangere said the man was not found and might have returned to the house to collect some belongings while the search was under way.

"He ran like a gazelle," said Mr Schmidt. "I don't think he even left a scent [for the police dogs] because his feet never hit the ground."