West Auckland families warned of naked man watching school kids from bushes

The man was spotted near a primary school in Te Atatu Peninsula yesterday. Photo / File

Families in the West Auckland suburb of Te Atatu are being warned to watch out for a middle-aged naked man hiding in the bushes and watching kids.

A woman posted on the Te Atatu Peninsula's Facebook page she had picked up her niece and nephew from their primary school yesterday when she saw the man.

Waitemata Police are aware of the incident and are appealing for any locals with relevant information to get in touch.

The middle-aged, skinny man with brown hair was hiding in a flax bush near Peninsula Primary School watching school kids walk by, she said - and he was naked.

"The kids ran home traumatised, which may have startled him as when we went out to find him he had gone.

"Another young boy on the street said he 'saw a man running away with only his bum on'."

The man was seen around Wakaroa Ave and Halyard Place. Another parent said their son had also seen the man.

"My 6-year-old son told me they saw him hiding behind the bushes next to our house. It is indeed scary."

The original poster had reported the matter to police.

Detective Sergeant Murray Free, of the Waitemata Police, said police received a complaint from a member of the public yesterday, regarding the man's behaviour.

The person's 9-year-old daughter reported that a man had exposed himself to her as she walked home from school, he said.

"This incident is reported to have occurred on Wakaroa Ave in Te Atatu Peninsula and was reported to Police at 3.40pm."

Police conducted area inquiries but did not locate the man.

Free requested any members of the community who had information contact Henderson Police on 09 839 0600.

A Peninsula Primary School spokeswoman said a parent had told the school about the man, who had been seen some distance from the school.