A missing Tauranga schoolgirl has told a talkback radio station that she is safe and happy and will return home on Wednesday.
Julie Davis, 14, is adamant she is not in a sexual relationship with an older man accompanying her.
Julie Davis met Craig Howard, 41, in March and went missing 11 days ago.
Police issued an arrest warrant for Mr Howard on Monday, saying he had abducted her.
But in a call to a radio station on Tuesday, Julie said she simply ran away from home with his help.
She said Mr Howard had given her no reason to feel unsafe.
She said she has let her mother know she was fine and told the radio show she would definitely return home on Wednesday.
She said she and Mr Howard know about the arrest warrant and called police on Monday.
Detective Constable Pete Sweeney says he has no comment to make at this stage.
