Hamilton Police, Land Search and Rescue volunteers and family members are currently searching parts of northwest Hamilton for three young girls believed missing for over seven hours.
Shift Manager, Senior Sergeant Pete Simpson, said Police were notified of two six-year-old girls and one eight-year-old girl going missing about 5.20pm.
"As we understand the situation, the girls were supposed to have gone west from their home on Nawton's Mooney St to an aunt and uncle's house four doors down the road at 1pm however they didn't arrive.
"Once Police were notified of the children being unaccounted for an extensive area canvas was conducted by Police and we have now called in reinforcements, including teams of Land SAR volunteers in an attempt to locate the girls before nightfall."
Mr Simpson said one six-year-old girl and the eight-year-old girl are sisters while the other six-year-old girl is a niece.
All three girls, eight-year-old Serenity ORMSBY, six-year-old Sapphire ORMSBY and six-year-old Maia ORMSBY are described as Maori with long brown hair down to their lower back.
"The girls were noticed missing by a relative about 4.30pm subsequently we don't know what Sapphire and Serenity were wearing but we believe Maia was wearing a white singlet with stripes on the bottom and small blue shorts.
"Anyone who has seen any young children in the vicinity of Mooney St or the surrounding area is asked to contact Police via 111. Alternatively information can be left with the Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 858 6200."
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