Genuine fears for the persons safety must exist before New Zealand Police will commence a search. If the only fears for safety are the fact the family has lost contact with the person, then this is not sufficient.

If you want to report a person missing in New Zealand, from a location outside New Zealand, you should report the person missing to local police in your country. They will send a request for investigation to New Zealand Police via Interpol channels. Or alternatively you can make a report through your embassy or consular office in New Zealand.

New Zealand Police does not accept missing persons reports from overseas by email, phone or post. We only accept missing person reports through the channels above, as they are able to verify who you are and that the reasons for the report are genuine.

You will need to provide:

• the missing person's full name and date of birth
• a full description of the missing person
• a recent photograph of the missing person
• details of where and when they were last seen or heard from
• details of any bank accounts and credit cards that the missing person may be using
• the missing person's cell phone number and email address
• details of any vehicle they may be using or travelling in
• names and contact details of friends and associates
• any relevant medical/mental health information
• any known travel plans or destinations
• details of anyone in the company of the missing person
• details of any enquiries you have made to locate the person yourself. Information about whether the person is resident in New Zealand or travelling (temporarily overseas). If travelling please try to provide an itinerary.