New Zealand Police have received more than 4000 missing person reports so far this year.

Of these reports, 70 per cent were for missing children and young people aged one to 16-years-old.

File.

New Zealand Police, along with 22 other countries around the world, is affiliated to the Global Missing Children's Network, who is at the forefront of International Missing Children's Day – which was last Thursday.

The GMCN has developed a central multi-lingual database featuring information and photographs of missing children that can be shared globally.

'It's important for New Zealand to be part of the wider international community to keep us appraised of international trends that might affect New Zealand and we want to be part of the prevention work that the GMCN carries out internationally,” says national co-ordinator of the Missing Children's Unit Detective Sergeant Linda Tamehana.

'Although most are located within one to three days, we still need to be aware of the risks that present to our children and young people, whether they are risks that involve dangerous, unusual or suspicious circumstances.

'Fears for their safety arise immediately if they are a small child missing from a house or location near water, or if the child or young person is mentally or physically disabled.

'We also need to be aware of other factors that increase the risk to the safety or wellbeing of young people as it makes them more vulnerable,” says Linda.

New Zealand Police have 19, historic missing cases relating to children and young persons that remain open.

In five of these cases, the child or young person has gone missing in suspicious circumstances that involve abduction and possibly homicide.

In three cases, the circumstances are unknown, and it is likely the children found themselves in situations outside their usual environments and were unable to cope with the risks presented.

The remaining 11 cases relate to children and young people who have gone missing in dangerous or accidental circumstances, such as boating, fishing, surfing or swimming incidents.

People with information about a missing person are asked to contact their local police station.

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line.