Police name man wanted over robbery of bank

Anthony Hone Mangu. Photo / Supplied

An arrest warrant has been issued for a man suspected of robbing a Whangarei bank earlier this week.

Police said Anthony Hone Mangu, 26, from Raumanga, was wanted in relation to the robbery of the ANZ Bank in Whangarei on Tuesday.

Police said a man entered the ANZ Bank on Rathbone St shortly before midday and handed the teller a note saying he did not want to hurt anyone and to hand over cash.

Money was handed over and the man left the bank and climbed into a taxi with a woman.

Police said on Wednesday they were following "strong leads" and were also looking at the possibility a bomb hoax at the Tikipunga High School on the other side of town may have been a diversion to lure police away from the bank.

Security camera footage from the bank gave police a reasonably good view of the robber.

- NZPA