A man being hunted on family violence issues and who has threatened to use explosives has been making taunting telephone calls to police.
Colin Venimore, 35, has been on the run for a fortnight and has made references to using firearms and explosives, which worried police.
Police said
his state of mind could be deteriorating and they warned the public not to approach him.
Inspector Les Paterson, area commander of the North Shore police, said Venimore may have been seen near Tawa, just north of Wellington.
Mr Paterson said police may charge anyone harbouring Venimore, who had several warrants out for his arrest over domestic violence and other issues he would not reveal.
He said police had no evidence Venimore had access to firearms or explosives.
"But he has made the threats and we are prepared to...put it this way, if you go to the airport and say you have a bomb in your bag you are probably going to invoke an immediate response.
"It is a little bit like that. You don't know if he has or not but you are not going to give him a chance to walk through and onto the plane."
Venimore had a history of violence but it was not linked with firearms or explosives or other weapons.
The reference to firearms and explosives may have been a "bit of wind and bravado".
Venimore had called police almost daily and police were keen to get him the treatment he needed and answer the legal issues he faced, Mr Paterson said.
He said anyone who knew where Venimore was should call police immediately.
- NZPA
