On Friday, Auckland police appealed for sightings of 52-year-old Darren Jolly, who they said was ``actively avoiding'' authorities.
A police spokeswoman said there had been confirmed sightings of the sex offender in Hector, in northern Buller, and this information was being followed up by local police.
``We ask that people in the Hector area remain vigilant,'' police said on Friday.
Jolly has more than 110 convictions for sex with underage girls, indecent sex acts, fraud, theft, assault and dangerous driving.
He is subject to a 10-year extended supervision order which is due to expire in 2023.
Police in Greymouth and Westport had no first-hand knowledge yesterday morning that Jolly might be in the region following local comment over the weekend.
West Coast social media pages went into overdrive at the weekend, with people saying they had called police about potential sightings but with no response.
Comments on social media suggested Jolly had been seen in Westport and the Granity area recently, alleging he was associated with a local family.
``My partner is waiting for local Granity cop to get hold of him as a friend saw him yesterday in Granity driving this well-known family's car out there,'' one resident said.
Another comment alleged Jolly had lived in the area a couple of years ago and was ``weird'', while yet another resident claimed Jolly had ``walked past our place ... the other day,'' in Greenfield St, Hector.
Jolly has breached his sentence 15 times while being supervised by the Department of Corrections.
His release order included 13 special conditions banning him from using computers and going near schools, parks and playgrounds.
Westport police (03)-789-7339, Crimestoppers 0800-555-111.
- Brendan McMahon
