Search for missing teen continues

UPDATED 11.01AM: Police are continuing to try to locate 15-year-old LA Tukerangi who is believed to be with 36-year old Dean Wayne Whakatau.

Both police enquiries and social media commentary have indicated that they have been together for around two weeks after leaving a property in Auckland.


Police want to speak with Dean Whakatau in relation to missing 15-year-old LA Tukerangi. Photos: Supplied.

Police want to hear from anyone who has seen them together during that time, who hasn't yet been formally spoken to by the investigation team.

Detective Senior Sergeant Zane Smith says: "At this point in time there is just one focus and that is to speak to LA and make sure that she is safe.

"Speculation on social media as to whether she is with Dean Whakatau willingly or not is unhelpful; we won't know the answer to that question until we speak to her directly.

"The fact remains that LA is only 15, her family desperately want her home and Police need to make sure she is safe and back with her family as soon as possible.

"We urge LA to make contact with us or with her family."

If she is with Dean Whakatau, police urge him to drop her outside a police station or in a public place where police can collect her, or have someone else drop her off for him.

Police believe that the pair were in Rotorua CBD area on Sunday morning.

It's understood they have also spent time in the Taupo area in the last couple of weeks.

If anyone sees them they are asked to contact Police immediately via the 111 system.

Public are asked not to try and approach them as this may cause them to flee.

Anyone with any general information that doesn't require an immediate response is asked to contact Rotorua Police on 07 348 0099.

Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.


There is still no sign of 15-year-old LA Tukerangi.

Earlier:

Police have had no word on the whereabouts missing 15-year-old LA Tukerangi.

The authorities issued an appeal for any information about the teenager, as well as 36-year-old Dean Wayne Whakatau, yesterday.

Police want to speak with Whakatau as information points to him being the last one to see LA before she went missing.

LA last made contact with a family member on Saturday when she asked for help and indicated that she was being held against her will.

Whakatau is subject to a warrant to arrest for breach of release conditions and the public are warned not to approach him.

He is described as 170cm tall, solid build and is missing two front teeth.

Police are asking for any sightings of LA Tukerangi or Dean Whakatau to be reported immediately via: 111.

Anyone with any general information about the pair, or where they might be, are asked to contact Rotorua Police on: 07 348 0099.

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously via Crimestoppers on: 0800 555 111.

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.