"A man, possibly fitting Justin Turner's description, albeit he was clean shaven, was offered and availed himself of accommodation at the rear of a private property in the town.
"A local man had found this person sitting in the main street so he offered the stranger a bed in his unused house bus for the night. He [Turner] was last seen walking north out of Featherston at about 7 o'clock on Saturday morning.
"We are urging motorists, business and transport operators throughout the North Island and possibly further south to be aware of Justin Turner's description and image and to contact police immediately if he is seen or encountered.
"Turner has a history of violence and should not be approached,'' Mr Cahill said.
Anyone who thought they had given Turner a ride, food or accommodation in the past week was asked to contact the investigation team on 09 820 5763 or call police on 111.
Justin Turner is described as Caucasian with noticeably olive skin, short black hair, brown eyes, comparatively bushy eyebrows and a prominent nose.
He is 176cms tall, of medium build, and has a neck tattoo of a dog wearing a spike collar.
