Missing persons

Locating missing persons overseas

Locating missing persons overseas is primarily a police matter. If you have concerns about a New Zealander missing overseas, you should first contact your local New Zealand Police station.

Consular staff overseas may be able to assist if:

• there is reason to be concerned for the person’s safety and welfare
• other methods of contact have been unsuccessful.

Consular staff cannot help in cases that involve:

• a temporary lack of contact
• maintenance support
• creditors or debt collection agencies
• genealogical projects
• non-New Zealand citizens (unless in the immediate family of a New Zealand citizen).

The missing person has a right to privacy. If we locate a missing person, we may not be able to pass on their whereabouts. It would be up to that person to make contact with the enquirer if they wished.

Locating missing persons in New Zealand

If you have an enquiry about a person you believe is missing in New Zealand, you should contact your local New Zealand Police station.

Agencies that can assist to locate missing persons (overseas or in New Zealand)

The following agencies provide help in tracing missing New Zealanders:

Family Tracing Service
Salvation Army
PO Box 6015 Wellington
Phone +64 4 382 0710
Fax +64 4 802 6257
Email familytracing@nzf.salvation.army.org
(a fee is payable)

Restoring Family Links
New Zealand Red Cross
National Headquarters
PO Box 12-140
Wellington
Phone +64 4 471 8250
Fax +64 4 471 8251
Email: familylinks@redcross.org.nz
(Specialises in making contact with missing persons in conflict zones)

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Page last updated: Friday, 18 December 2009, 10:28 NZDT