Violent sex offender on the run again

Arrest warrants have been issued for Maka Renata, 24, whose violent history is a major concern. Photo / Supplied

A sex offender who was coached to stalk and rape by his uncle is again on the run from police.

Napier police have issued two warrants for the arrest of Maka Renata, 24, whose violent history is a major concern.

They said that apart from the rapes, he also had convictions for street and shop robberies and was known to associate with other known criminals and sex offenders.

Renata was released on parole in November last year after serving a 10-year sentence for two rapes.

The first rape happened when he and his uncle, Mongrel Mob member Dean Hiroki, dragged a woman into an alley way off Cuba St in Wellington and raped her at knifepoint. Renata was 14 at the time.

About 16 months later while serving 7-1/2 years in jail for that rape, Renata sexually assaulted his 15-year-old cellmate in prison and was sentenced to another three years' jail.

In January, police launched a nationwide hunt for Renata after he breached several parole conditions in Christchurch. He was arrested in Lower Hutt then relocated to Napier under intensive supervision.

Napier police say they are now looking for him after he allegedly breached his parole conditions a second time. They also wanted to speak to him about a burglary at a Napier hotel last month.

Napier police tactical co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Dan Foley said Renata was likely to be actively avoiding police.

He had contacts in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne and had family in Auckland and Wellington.

"We have carried out several extensive searches in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne and so far we have found no trace of him," Mr Foley said.

"We believe he is actively avoiding police and that he may be committing crime again," Mr Foley said.

- NZPA