Police had arranged for her to have a full medical assessment but she did not appear to be physically injured, he said.
She was due to be interviewed by a specialist interviewer today and in the meantime was in the care of police.
Mr Smith said LA's family were updated as soon as she was in police care.
"We are incredibly pleased to have been able to contact LA's family this morning with news that their daughter was safe," Mr Smith said yesterday.
"One of the first things that LA wanted to do was speak to her family by telephone, which we arranged.
"LA's family has asked us to express on their behalf that they are very happy and relieved that she has been found, and they want to thank everyone who has supported them over the last few days. They are really looking forward to seeing her soon.
"Although LA has been located safe, there is still a great deal of work to do.
"We will have specialist interviewers speak with LA in detail, to piece together events over the last couple of weeks and to establish if any criminal offences have been committed."
He said that would likely take "some days" and until investigations had been completed it was not appropriate to make further comment.
"Without the overwhelming public response over the last few days we may not have located LA as quickly as we have."
A 36-year-old man has been arrested without incident on unrelated matters and is in police custody. He will appear in Whakatane District Court today.
