Manhunt after woman allegedly killed near college, police find missing car
Thursday, 16 October 2025
A manhunt continues after a missing car was found four hours’ drive from where a woman was allegedly killed at a Tararua property.
Police were called to a home on Arthur St at around 4.40pm on Wednesday, where they located the woman dead. The property is beside Tararua College in Pahiatua.
A homicide investigation is now under way.
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Detective Senior Sergeant David Thompson said police had located a car that was taken from the victim’s address.
A red, late-model Mitsubishi ASX VRX station wagon, registration QGU91, was missing when police attended the scene but was found in Rotorua late on Thursday morning.
“Nobody was with the vehicle, and we are working to identify who the driver was. We hope the public can help us with and need to hear from anyone who saw this car travelling the central North Island, between Pahiatua and Rotorua,” Thompson said.
“If you think you saw this vehicle, please speak with us as you may have information that’s invaluable to the investigation.”
Thompson said a scene guard was in place at the property and nearby residents could expect to see an ongoing police presence in the coming days.
He said local police had also been working with Tararua College to provide reassurance and an alternative route for students to enter and exit the school.
“We know the police presence will be unsettling but we can confirm there is no threat to the wider community.”
The principal of Tararua College told Stuff on Thursday that the community was in shock after the incident.
Iain Anderson said he understood the woman lived alone in the house next to the school.
“It’s never nice to see something like that happening in a small community like Pahiatua, it doesn’t happen very often here,” he said.
He warned Pahiatua locals to stay away and expect armed police near the school for the remainder of the school week.
“There will be an increased police presence—including armed officers—over the next few days,” Anderson wrote on social media.
Anderson told Stuff on Thursday morning that staff had guided students safely into school on Thursday and confirmed that no one from the school community was involved in the incident.
He said student numbers were reduced due to strike action keeping Year 11 and 12 students away from school.
“Police have requested that the public avoid the vicinity as much as possible. The Police have assured us that there is no threat to the community at this time,” Anderson said.