International Missing Children's Day - 25 May

International Missing Children's Day is held each year on 25 May to raise awareness about the significant number of young people who are reported missing around the world.  It is estimated that at least 8 million children worldwide go missing each year, or 22,000 a day.

New Zealand Police, like Police in 19 other countries, is affiliated to the Global Missing Children's Network - the lead organisation for creating a central multi-lingual database that features information and photographs of missing children.  It is important for us to be part of the wider international community and to be aware of any international trends that might affect New Zealand. We also want to be part of the prevention work that the GMCN carries out internationally.

This year the global focus is on missing young people.  This year Police has received 3432 missing person reports.  Of these reports, 1985 or 57 percent are young people aged between 10 - 16 years.  In New Zealand almost all young people who are reported missing have runaway. We have very few abductions or kidnappings. The reality is that 85 percent of these young people are located within 5 days of being reported missing. However, young people who runaway are vulnerable and more likely to put themselves into high risk situations.  While the reasons for going missing are many and varied, communication plays a vital role in preventing young people from going missing and may also assist in their location. 

Encourage your children to talk about issues that are affecting them as this can prevent them from running away. Knowing who they are associating with is also important and may help Police to locate them more quickly. For more information visit Help bring them home.