Police are investigating reports of a sexual assault in Te Teko.
Eastern Bay of Plenty police reported a young woman was sexually assaulted by a man in his late teens near the netball courts at Eivers Park, between 3pm and 3.30pm on Monday.
A cordon has since been put in place around the public toilets near the park and police were yesterday examining the scene.
The young man is described as being in his late teens with short black curly hair.
He was wearing black clothing and a red hat at the time of the assault.
A local shop owner said he had noticed the police and the cordon when he was driving to work yesterday, but he and other locals did not know why they were there.
"I didn't know what it was about, when I saw it [the cordon] I thought something bad must've happened. It was scary."
Detective Sergeant Anthony Hay said agencies including Victim Support had been engaged to support the young woman and her family.
Police are speaking with "other people that were present at the time" to identify the person responsible.
Mr Hay urged anyone with information to contact Kawerau police on (07) 323 1400, the Whakatane police on (07) 308 5255 or call CRIME STOPPERS on 0800 111 555.