Police manhunt for prisoner who escaped after attending funeral

Lusitino Selesele was on compassionate temporary escort from Spring Hill Corrections Facility when he escaped. Photo / NZ Police

Waitemata Police are hunting a prisoner who escaped Corrections custody while attending a funeral on Thursday.

Lusitino Selesele was on compassionate temporary escort from Spring Hill Corrections Facility when he escaped, Detection Senior Sergeant Roger Small said.

Lusitino is 41-years-old, Pacific Island, 182cm and of large build.

Police believe Lusitino is with his partner, Jacinta Sale, who has two warrants for her arrest for driving while disqualified.

She is described as a female, Pacific Islander, around 178 cm and of medium build.

Both Selesele and Sale are believed to be using a white Holden Combo van, registration CYN814 and it is believed they are in the Waitakere area.

"Where possible police will use other operational means and intelligence to find someone before putting their name out in the media," a spokesperson said.

"Police now deem it appropriate to make his name public as we have been unable to locate him."

Police believe Lusitino is with his partner, Jacinta Sale, who has two warrants for her arrest for driving while disqualified. Photo / NZ Police

Anyone with information which can assist police can contact Detective Sergeant Ash Matthews of the Waitakere CIB on 09 837 9511.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

People can also send a private message to police on Facebook.

Corrections put out a statement saying Selesele was a "low security prisoner" and was under the supervision of two Corrections officers when he escaped.

"A border alert has been activated," the statement said.

"The Department will be carrying out a full operational review of the incident."

It did not say what Selesele was in prison for.