Escaped prisoner Paul Rehua. Photo: NZ Police
Police are searching for a man who escaped custody while on a hospital escort in Auckland last week.
A warrant to arrest 42-year-old Paul Kyle Peekay Rehua has been issued by police, who believe he is in the wider Waitematā area.
Mt Eden Corrections Facility acting general manager Edith Pattinson confirmed to RNZ on Tuesday a remand prisoner escaped from Corrections staff about 9am on Friday while on a hospital escort.
Police believed he was actively avoiding authorities.
Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz and finn.blackwell@rnz.co.nz
They said Rehua was known to frequent both the greater Auckland and Waikato regions, and were appealing for anyone who may have seen him or those with information that could help in finding him to get in contact.
Earlier this week, Pattinson said public safety was a top priority.
"Any escape is unacceptable and an immediate review into how this incident occurred is being carried out."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
