Police suspect foul play in woman's disappearance

Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston with a photo of missing Northland woman Barbara Moka.

Police say the disappearance of Rawene woman Barbara Moka is increasingly looking like foul play.

Police have boosted the inquiry's staff numbers and renewed their appeal for information.

The 32-year-old mother was last seen on Sunday June 9 and had attended a Tangi at the Te Piiti Marae, Omanaia, near Rawene.

Ms Moka and her partner, aged 43, had reportedly been involved in a motor vehicle crash in the early hours of Sunday, about 1am, not far from the marae.

Police have been told that they returned to the marae following the crash.

There are now 20 staff working on the case and police say it is looking more likely that there has been foul play involved in her disappearance.

Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston said police were still keen to hear from anyone who attended the tangi and may have still been there after midnight on Saturday June 8.

Ms Moka is 1.5m tall, of slim build with black shoulder-length hair that is normally tied up in a pony tail.

She has two tattoos on her neck - one is a Japanese symbol, the other an Aquarius star sign.

Anyone with relevant information can contact the Kaikohe police on 09 405 2960 or CrimeStoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.