Police are searching for a man after a sexually motivated attack on a teenage girl on the North Shore.
The 15-year-old was walking home from school through the Awaruku Bush Reserve in Torbay on Friday about 3.45pm.
The man then approached her from behind and indecently assaulted her.
She managed to get away from the man who then fled the scene.
Witnesses said they saw a man moments later on Awaruku Rd, speeding away on a black mountain bike from the bush reserve.
Police said they were not certain if this was the same person, but the descriptions provided by witnesses and the victim were similar.
The man was described as Caucasian, aged in his 40s, and of strong build.
He has short black and grey hair and was wearing knee-length shorts, a grey shirt with horizontal blue stripes and black skate shoes.
The victim recognised the man as she had seen him in the reserve three days earlier.
Police are now appealing for anyone who may have seen a man of this description, or who has any other information on the investigation to call the North Shore CIB on 09-477 5261.