Masterton runaways found safe and well

The brother and sister missing in the Wairarapa have been found safe and well, police have confirmed.

The youngsters were found near the Te Ore Ore bridge in Masterton just before 2pm, police said in a statement.

"The bicycles belonging to the pair were found and shortly afterwards the two children were located as a result of information from the public."

Earlier the guardians of two young Masterton runaways had found plans, a packing list and a farewell note warning family "not to follow''.

Masterton couple Donna and Dean Rennie, who at times have had up to 14 family members living in their home at once, said they last saw their grand-nephew Harlem Rimene-McRae, 12, and his sister Lyrik Rimene-McRae, 10, in their beds about 10pm on Sunday.

Mrs Rennie, known to family as "adopt-a-kid", had been helping co-ordinate more than 30 family and friends since early Monday morning as they scour empty buildings, backyard sheds and likely bolt-holes as far north as Eketahuna and south to Featherston.

There had been several reported sightings of the children that were fruitless when followed, she said, and the search had involved police from an early stage. It will widen further if the children, who had left on their bikes, remain missing for another night.

Their written plans included a note about food but the pair had made their lunches Sunday ready for school "but that's still sitting in the fridge", Mrs Rennie said.

The farewell note the children slipped under her door had outlined grievances they held including "making us sign contracts for stupid things, not letting us eat much at church or parties and not being aloud (sic) a phone''.

"You have pushed us too far. Me and Lyrik have decided to leave so you don't have to put up with us,'' Harlem had written.

"We are going to go where we can go and we know what we are doing. And don't follow. Leave me and Lyrik alone.''

Mrs Rennie said the missing children, and their Masterton family, were estranged from the children's mother, who will make her way to Wairarapa from Hawkes Bay if the children remain missing overnight.

The couple live in a five-bedroom house affectionately known as "the castle'' because of its size and the numbers of children and family members who call it home, and family and friends were gathering at the property today.

A mounting roll call of helpers were this morning preparing scores of sandwiches to feed the ranks of searchers who were expected to arrive from throughout the region and beyond.

Social media had also been co-opted in the search, Mrs Rennie said, with several Facebook group pages and innumerable friends and family posting photographs of the children and pleading for their return or reports of sightings.

Mrs Rennie said Harlem and Lyrik were keen students who enjoyed school, sports and wide circles of friends. The schools and other agencies had been told the pair were missing and were helping uncover information that could point to their whereabouts.

Lyrik had never run away before today, she said, while Harlem had bolted several times but had been always found near the family home within hours.

Harlem had fought with his younger brother and Lyrik had misbehaved last week, which was out of character. Small amounts of money had vanished over the past few months as well, she said.

Mr Rennie said Harlem had come to blows with his younger brother but peace had been made, while Lyrik had been in a lot of trouble over the last week of the school holidays.

"They are close. They might fight but they are close. Harlem was the parent when they came to us. He was mother and father to them all. That's been a constant struggle to get him to realise he needs to be a child. Lyrik was just doing what she has always done, following his lead.

"They might have been creating an environment, you know, setting the scene, so when they leave, nobody will worry. But we need them to know we need them back at home and that they are loved unconditionally. Please come home.''

Senior Sergeant Mike Sutton said police were concerned for the safety of the two children.

Lyrik was described as a thinly-built girl, last believed to be wearing a pink hooded sweatshirt and three-quarter length tights and purple shoes. Harlem is a thinly-built boy with short dark hair who could be wearing a black Manchester United jacket with a red stripe and the team logo at the breast, and blue shorts.

The children left home on their bikes - Lyrik on a BMX-style bike, and Harlem on a mountain bike.

If anyone knows where Lyrik and Harlem are, or has seen them, please contact Wairarapa Police on 06 370 0300.

 

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