Latest news with #KarlVasau
1News
07-05-2025
- 1News
School abduction attempt: Family praise eight-year-old's swift action
The family of a South Auckland boy who escaped an attempted abduction outside his school has spoken of the youngster's bravery and presence of mind during the incident. Yesterday, a stranger allegedly tried to force the boy into a car outside Rowandale School before bystanders intervened and the man drove off. The boy, 8, who was earlier reported as being nine years old, was first offered lollies outside the Manurewa school, which he declined. The boy's close uncle, William, said: 'I have no words to describe the feelings that we have. 'As he walked away, he felt that this man had grabbed him from behind and with retaliation he had pushed the man's hand away and ran away.' He said other parents called out during the incident, asking the man whether he was the father. 'The man replied, and said 'yes', and then my nephew responded 'no, he's not my father'." The family said it all happened within just a few seconds. But even so, the boy was able to give a detailed description of the man, and said he was Polynesian, in his 50s or 60s, wore a camouflage jacket and black trousers, and sped off in a white car with lots of swear words written on the side. It was the first day the boy had been allowed to walk home by himself. Rowandale School principal Karl Vasau said the boy's parents were usually waiting for him on the corner. 'So this was the day. So, of all days, this is what their child has told them when he's come home.' Another parent at the school, Ana, said the community was being supportive of one another. 'I know, like in the current, I was really concerned for the child's safety, as well as the many children here. 'I think there is quite a strong presence in this community and a lot of parents around this area in our neighbourhood of Manurewa take pride in supporting each other and making sure that all our children are safe.' Police kept an extra close outside the school today, and shared messages about stranger danger at an assembly, which was backed up by the Vasau and by teachers in the classrooms. Reflecting on the boy's swift actions, William said he was 'grateful' that he and his family have taught the boy about road safety and stranger danger. 'But we just want to make sure that not just my own nephew, but even our kids in the community or any family to go through.' Police said they were working to identify the man and his vehicle.
Otago Daily Times
06-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Abduction attempt 'every parent's worst nightmare'
A South Auckland primary school will be holding safety talks with students today, after a stranger tried to abduct a student while he was walking home from school on Monday. It was "every parent's worst nightmare and every principal's dread", Rowandale School principal Karl Vasau told Morning Report. "Luckily there were parents there that intervened and the man drove away." Police are now investigating the incident in Manurewa. Vasau said the 9-year-old boy had a very supportive family and it was his first day walking home alone. "This was a day... he decided to convince his parents would be the first day he could walk all the way home by himself, so what a great start to him being independent and brave and his parents being trusting in him. "We're very happy that the outcome turned out the way it did but very very cautious and upset that this was an experience this student had on Monday." The focus today would be connecting with as many people who intervened as possible, he said. The school had a teacher's only day on Tuesday, and today children would be spoken to about safety when walking home. "We're just going to reinforce the messages that we would hope would be normal for them, is what does safety walking to and from school look like, what are they supposed to be doing, who are they allowed to be walking with, where are they going. "What's important is that we don't create a fear among our kids of other people and adults because in this instance a stranger supported one of our students and so we don't want to create that stranger danger thing but if someone that you don't know is asking you to do something that you know is wrong, seek support or move away and get home as soon as possible." The kids will be told it's important to talk to their parents about what has happened and parents will be asked to reinforce safe practices with their children. Police would be patrolling the premises after school when students returned on Wednesday and education officers would also speak with the children. Police said they had spoken to the child and were working through a careful process because of his age. "At around 3pm, a man approached a young boy and began interacting with him as he was walking home on the footpath," police said. "Nearby adults intervened and the male left the area." Vasau urged parents or students who saw what happened to tell the school or contact the police. Uncle gives more detail A relative claiming to be the student's uncle said on social media the suspect approached the boy at about 3:05pm on Monday. The post on Facebook went on to say this individual tried to take the boy by force outside the main gates of Good News Family Church on Rowandale Rd, before two individuals intervened in the attempted abduction. He said the family were asking these people to contact police and report what they witnessed. The family member described the suspect as a Polynesian man, estimated to be in his mid-50s to 60s, wearing a camouflage hunting jersey and long black pants. He was reported by the family to be driving a small white sedan with swear words written on the side panels and an image of a raised middle finger.
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- RNZ News
'Every parent's worst nightmare': Principal on attempted abduction after school in Auckland
Photo: RNZ A south auckland primary school will be holding safety talks with students today, after a stranger tried to abduct a student while he was walking home from school on Monday. It was "every parent's worst nightmare and every principal's dread", Rowandale School principal Karl Vasau told Morning Report . "Luckily there were parents there that intervened and the man drove away." Police are now investigating the incident in Manurewa. Vasau said the 9-year-old boy has a very supportive family and it was his first day walking home alone. "This was a day... he decided to convince his parents would be the first day he could walk all the way home by himself, so what a great start ot him being independent and brave and his parents being trusting in him. "We're very happy that the outcome turned out the way it did but very very cautious and upset that this was an experience this student had on Monday." The focus on Wednesday would be connecting with as many people who intervened as possible, he said. The school had a teacher's only day on Tuesday and on Wednesday children will spoken to about safety when walking home. "We're just going to reinforce the messages that we would hope would be normal for them, is what does safety walking to and from school look like, what are they supposed to be doing, who are they allowed to be walking with, where are they going. "What's important is that we don't create a fear among our kids of other people and adults because in this instance a stranger supported one of our students and so we don't want to create that stranger danger thing but if someone that you don't know is asking you to do something that you know is wrong, seek support or move away and get home as soon as possible." The kids will be told it's important to talk to their parents about what has happened and parents will be asked to reinforce safe practices with their children. Police would be patrolling the premises after school when students returned on Wednesday and education officers will also speak with the children. Police said they have spoken to the child and are working through a careful process because of his age. "At around 3pm, a man approached a young boy and began interacting with him as he was walking home on the footpath," police said. "Nearby adults intervened and the male left the area." Vasau urged parents or students who saw what happened to tell the school or contact the police using case number PO62455386. Photo: Supplied A relative claiming to be the students uncle said on social media the suspect approached the boy at about 3:05pm on Monday afternoon. The post on Facebook went on to say this individual tried to take the boy by force outside the main gates of Good News Family Church on Rowandale Road, before two individuals intervened in the attempted abduction. He said the family were asking these people to contact police and report what they witnessed. The family member described the suspect as a Polynesian man, estimated to be in his mid-50s to 60s, wearing a camouflage hunting jersey and long black pants. He was reported by the family to be driving a small white sedan with swear words written on the side panels and an image of a raised middle finger.
Otago Daily Times
06-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Parents stop attempted abduction outside primary school
A stranger has attempted to abduct a South Auckland primary school student while they were walking home from school on Monday. In a statement on social media, the principal of Rowndale School in Manurewa Karl Vasau said a man tried to force a boy into his car just up the road from the school. "Luckily there were parents there that intervened and the man drove away. "The student then made his way home and told his parents who then came into school to let us know and then they rung the Police. "The police have been into school and are working with us on using some of our CTV footage from the front of the school." He urged parents or students who saw what happened to tell the school or contact the police using case number PO62455386. He said the school would dedicate part of its Teacher Only Day on Tuesday to working through how they would address the incident when students returned on Wednesday. "Our student is safe now and his family are thankful that nothing further happened to their boy but are wanting us all to be aware and stay safe." He encouraged parents to talk to their children about keeping themselves safe when walking to and from school. Vasau said he informed the Manurewa Principals Association about the abduction attempt on Monday and a warning had been passed on to all schools in the area. He said police would be patrolling the premises after school when students returned on Wednesday. He added education officers would also be coming in during the day to talk to students in the classroom and reinforce safe practices going to and from school. A relative claiming to be the students uncle said on social media the boy was 8-years-old and that the suspect approached the boy at about 3:05pm on Monday afternoon. The post on Facebook went on to say this individual tried to take the boy by force outside the main gates of Good News Family Church on Rowandale Road, before two individuals intervened in the attempted abduction. He said the family were asking these people to contact police and report what they witnessed. The family member described the suspect as a Polynesian man, estimated to be in his mid-50s to 60s, wearing a camouflage hunting jersey and long black pants. He was reported by the family to be driving a small white sedan with swear words written on the side panels and an image of a raised middle finger. A police spokesperson confirmed they were investigating a man's interaction with a child outside Rowandale School on Monday afternoon. "At around 3pm, a man approached a young boy and began interacting with him as he was walking home on the footpath. "Nearby adults intervened and the male left the area." Police said they were still working to understand what happened. "We have spoken with the boy and will continue to work through a careful process given he is a young person." The spokesperson said they were working with Rowandale School and providing reassurance to its community. They said police were reviewing CCTV footage in the area and asked anyone with information to contact them using the reference number 250505/2064.
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- RNZ News
Parents stop man trying to abduct Auckland primary school student
A relative claiming to be the students uncle said on social media the boy was 8-years-old. Photo: A stranger has attempted to abduct a South Auckland primary school student while they were walking home from school on Monday. In a statement on social media, the principal of Rowndale School in Manurewa Karl Vasau said a man tried to force a boy into his car just up the road from the school. "Luckily there were parents there that intervened and the man drove away. "The student then made his way home and told his parents who then came into school to let us know and then they rung the Police. "The police have been into school and are working with us on using some of our CTV footage from the front of the school." He urged parents or students who saw what happened to tell the school or contact the police using case number PO62455386. He said the school would dedicate part of its Teacher Only Day on Tuesday to working through how they would address the incident when students returned on Wednesday. "Our student is safe now and his family are thankful that nothing further happened to their boy but are wanting us all to be aware and stay safe." He encouraged parents to talk to their children about keeping themselves safe when walking to and from school. The principal of Rowndale School in Manurewa Karl Vasau. Photo: Supplied Vasau said he informed the Manurewa Principals Association about the abduction attempt on Monday and a warning had been passed on to all schools in the area. He said police would be patrolling the premises after school when students returned on Wednesday. He added education officers would also be coming in during the day to talk to students in the classroom and reinforce safe practices going to and from school. A relative claiming to be the students uncle said on social media the boy was 8-years-old and that the suspect approached the boy at about 3:05pm on Monday afternoon. The post on Facebook went on to say this individual tried to take the boy by force outside the main gates of Good News Family Church on Rowandale Road, before two individuals intervened in the attempted abduction. He said the family were asking these people to contact police and report what they witnessed. The family member described the suspect as a Polynesian man, estimated to be in his mid-50s to 60s, wearing a camouflage hunting jersey and long black pants. He was reported by the family to be driving a small white sedan with swear words written on the side panels and an image of a raised middle finger. A police spokesperson confirmed they were investigating a man's interaction with a child outside Rowandale School on Monday afternoon. "At around 3pm, a man approached a young boy and began interacting with him as he was walking home on the footpath. "Nearby adults intervened and the male left the area." Police said they were still working to understand what happened. "We have spoken with the boy and will continue to work through a careful process given he is a young person." The spokesperson said they were working with Rowandale School and providing reassurance to its community. They said police were reviewing CCTV footage in the area and asked anyone with information to contact them using the reference number 250505/2064. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
