Two men have tried to lure girls into their white van in Rotorua, and police say they have "significant concerns" about their intentions.
Rotorua police are seeking public help to identify the two men after three girls reported two separate approaches on Monday.
Area prevention manager Inspector Stuart Nightingale
said a white van pulled up alongside an 8-year-old girl who was walking home from school on Pukehangi Rd at 3.15pm.
A passenger tried to entice the girl into the van.
The driver was described as a male European aged about 45-50 and the passenger a male European aged about 18.
At 3.30pm a similar van stopped beside two 11-year-old girls on Ford Rd, who were also walking home from school, and a further attempt was made to entice those girls into the van.
No one was hurt, but police "hold significant concerns as to the behaviours and intentions of the occupants of this white van".
It is described as having tinted rear windows and a black stripe or stripes running along the length of the van.
Sunset Primary School principal Niels Rasmussen said the school wasn't aware of the approaches, but he would make sure to get the message out.
"We regularly talk to our children about being aware, not necessarily stranger danger, but just letting them know that not everybody is a good person."
Mr Rasmussen said his pupils were "pretty savvy" and generally travelled to and from school with parents or in groups.
"Certainly with our community, everybody knows everybody," he said.
"If they noticed anything was up they'd step out and say something and probably send whoever it is running."
Westbrook school principal Colin Watkins said he didn't know what was up with "idiots in white vans", but that there seemed to be a new alert every week.
"There have been multiple reports of people in vans," he said.
"I think most kids, in most schools, are more aware now, unfortunately, than previous generations.
"It's the reality we have these days, sadly, that there are occasions they've [the kids] got to have strategies to keep themselves safe."
Mr Watkins said the school was in the middle of a unit called 'Keeping ourselves safe'.
"It teaches them about emotional, physical, sexual, really all forms of abuse," he said.
"That programme is available to all schools and was nationally put together in conjunction with police.
"Our kids are pretty well prepared."
Readers on the Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page urged people to keep an eye on their neighbours who own white vans.
"They have to park up somewhere .. Gees stop these buggers before it's too late! This makes me so angry," one commenter said.
Another said: "People need to teach kids to get number plates too. Even just part of it will help narrow it down"
But one reader cautioned: "Rotorua has many tradies with white vans that deserve to go about their business without false accusations".
Earlier this month a man allegedly made two suspicious approaches to a young girl on Clayton Rd. That man was reportedly in a white ute.
A man has been charged and is currently in custody on remand facing two charges of preparing to commit a crime.
He will reappear in court for a bail application on August 30.
The public are urged to be vigilant and to provide any information to the Rotorua police, 111 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
A guide for parents and caregivers
• On their way home from school, children may be approached by people who are seeking directions, wanting assistance or offering a ride.
• Make sure your child understands that they shouldn't accept rides from anyone unless it has been prearranged with you.
• Children should keep a safe distance from vehicles or people they may meet when walking alone or with friends.
• Encourage them to tell you about anything unusual that happens on the way home.
• If possible, get them to record registration numbers, colour and make/model of any suspicious vehicles. (This should be done carefully so that the driver doesn't notice.)
- New Zealand Police