A schoolgirl has been sexually assaulted by a group of men in broad daylight while walking home from the school bus, in what police have labelled a "despicable" attack.
The incident occurred about 4pm on Thursday in Meremere, North Waikato Acting Detective Sergeant Chris Cummings said.
The teenage girl was sexually assaulted in her school uniform by four men, aged between 16 and 20 years old, he said.
She had been dropped off by the school bus near the Meremere library.
"As she neared the northern intersection of Te Puea Ave and Te Whero Cres she was approached by four males, taken against her will and sexually assaulted nearby," Mr Cummings said.
Three of the offenders were described as Maori or Polynesian.
One was of medium build, 182cm tall and wearing a black jersey and baggy maroon knee-length shorts, police said.
The second was thin and walked with a limp with a white hoodie, light blue jeans and a blue bucket hat while the third attacker was of large build, about 167cm tall and wearing a dark brown t-shirt and grey trackpants.
The fourth offender was possibly a slim Caucasian man about 180cm tall, police said.
"The group were last seen running south on Te Puea Ave in the direction of the town library and store after the attack," Mr Cummings said.
Police would like to speak to anyone in the area at the time of the attack who saw the victim or people who meet the description of the attackers.
"Obviously this is a situation that is considered very serious not only to the police but by the entire northern Waikato community and the focus for us right now is identifying who was responsible and also in getting the victim all the help and support that she needs," Mr Cummings said.
Anyone who saw anything or thinks they could identify the offenders can contact Mr Cummings at Ngaruawahia Police on 07 211 7291 or anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
