Young boy and his father found after police search

Police have found a 3-year-old boy and his father after the pair went missing, sparking a police search, following a family violence incident at a Whangarei address yesterday.

Whangarei police acting Sergeant Rob Eke said police had spent the weekend interviewing the friends and family of 25-year-old father Tehuru (Tony) Paratene, who had taken his son Kaui from a Whangarei house.

Mr Paratene was involved in a family violence incident at an Otangarei address at about 12.30pm yesterday, he said.

During the incident, involving Paratene and other family members, the child was allegedly assaulted, Mr Eke said.

Paratene left with his son on foot and a search ensued.

The pair were found safe and well in Whangarei about 3pm today.

Police were talking to the father, a police spokesperson confirmed.

A friend of Paratene's, who did not want to be named, said they had been texting Paratene following the incident yesterday. At that stage it was believed he did not know police were looking for him.

"Tony is a great dad, he's done so well raising Kaui he wouldn't do anything to hurt Kaui or put his life in danger," the friend said.

The friend had encouraged Paratene, who looked after his son full time, to come forward.