Police hunting for a teenage schoolgirl who disappeared with a 41-year-old man 10 days ago have appealed to her to contact her increasingly worried parents.
Fourteen-year-old Mt Maunganui College student Julie Davis, who was last seen in Papamoa on July 4, is believed to be with 41-year-old Craig Howard.
Acting Senior Sergeant Cameron Anderson, from Tauranga police, said today a sighting of the pair at the Miranda Hot Springs near Thames last week had not been confirmed.
He said it was not yet known what was the relationship between them but there was so far no evidence to suggest a crime had been committed.
"Until we speak to Julie and the guy we are not really going to know much but obviously there are concerns from her parents and rightly so with the age of their daughter and the age of this guy.
"The sooner we locate them the better all round."
Mr Anderson said the parents had fears about her "mental stability".
The pair met while Julie was on holiday at Waingaro Hot Springs near Raglan where Mr Howard had worked.
She is believed to have texted friends but not made contact with her parents.
Mr Howard is described as Maori, of medium height and build, with a slight lisp.
The two were believed to be travelling around in Mr Howard's grey, 1989 Subaru Legacy sedan, registration UE4661.
Anyone with information can call police on 0800 Speak Up (0800 773 258).