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Police are combing CCTV as they investigate the alleged attempted abduction of an 8-year-old boy outside Rowandale School in Manurewa.
Nearby parents intervened and the man drove away in a white sedan described as having offensive words written on its panels.
The boy’s family and school are urging the community to be vigilant, with Manurewa-Papakura councillor Daniel Newman warning any “piece of s***” approaching kids to “seek help”.
A stranger tried to force an 8-year-old boy into a car outside an Auckland school yesterday afternoon before nearby parents intervened and the man drove away, the school’s principal says.
Police are investigating the brazen alleged attempted abduction at 3.05pm outside the main gates of the Good News Family Church – about 100m north of Rowandale School on Rowandale Rd in Manurewa – including reviewing CCTV footage.
Family of the child say he was walking home from school when he was approached by a man in camouflage clothes and nearly taken by force.
Two parents saw what was happening and stopped the man, who was driving a distinctive white sedan with offensive words on its side panels.
“He’s fine,” Rowandale School principal Karl Vasau said this morning of the pupil involved.
“I taught the boy’s father. I feel his pain – this has really thrown him and his family … they’re a very proactive family who have done all the right things.”
Other schools in the South Auckland suburb are also being warned, Vasau said.
“This is a village and we all need to look out for each other.”
Manurewa-Papakura ward councillor Daniel Newman said the incident was “very serious”, and he had a blunt message at any “piece of s*** who is approaching kids in my ward – or anywhere”.
“I want that person to seek help.”
The area where the attempted snatching took place was a “very young part of Manurewa”, many young residents walked to school because the number of speed bumps made the streets safer.
“A lot of kids have the confidence to walk to and from school, but they have to be safe.
“My message [to families] is to be vigilant, and maybe walk to and from school with your kids for the next wee while.”
He also encouraged the whole community to report any suspicious behaviour to police.
Police told the Herald this afternoon they are investigating “a man’s interactions with a child” outside Rowandale School yesterday.
“A man approached a young boy and began interacting with him as he was walking home on the footpath.
“Nearby adults intervened and the male left the area.
“We have spoken with the boy and will continue to work through a careful process given he is a young person.”
Officers were also working with the school, providing reassurance to the community and reviewing CCTV footage in the area, police said.
“We ask anyone with information to contact us.”
This could be done by calling 105 and citing the reference number 250505/2064.
Rowandale School principal Karl Vasau, pictured outside the Manurewa school in 2022. Photo / Jason Oxenham
Vasau said he didn’t know who the parents were who intervened yesterday, but was keen to hear from them – as well as any other witnesses, adult or child, who might have information for police.
The incident was the first of its kind he was aware of involving a Rowandale pupil, he said.
Police had taken CCTV footage showing the area in front of the school. The footage hadn’t captured the attempted abduction.
A relative of the boy posted on Facebook that his family were “shaken by [the] terrifying incident”.
“We feel it is critical to warn our community.”
They were thankful for the two people who intervened and “helped prevent the worst from happening”, urging them or anyone else with information to contact police and share what they know.
The boy had described his attempted abductor as a Polynesian man aged in his mid-50s to 60s and wearing a camouflage hunting jersey and black pants, the relative wrote.
The alleged attempted abduction of an 8-year-old boy took place yesterday outside Good News Family Church, which is next to Rowandale School in Manurewa. Photo / Google Streetview
His vehicle was a small white sedan with words such as “f*** you“, “piss off” and “idiot” written on the side panels, with an image of a raised middle finger.
The incident was a “stark reminder of the importance of teaching children to stay aware of their surroundings and never engage with unknown individuals”.
“We are immensely grateful that our nephew is safe and commend his bravery for refusing to be lured by a stranger.”
Today, Vasau said it was a teacher-only day at the school to prepare for the new maths curriculum, but which would also now include preparing for pupils’ first day back at school since the incident.
He was encouraging parents to talk to their kids about safety precautions when walking to and from school, backed up with support from the school.
Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.
