Missing man’s mother says he ‘wasn’t in a good state of mind’ when he disappeared

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

The mother of a missing 22-year-old man says her autistic son “wasn’t in a good state of mind” when he was discharged from hospital just before he went missing.

Tuesday marks two weeks since Saxzin Steedman was last seen in Dargaville, with his family becoming increasingly desperate for answers.

His mother, Angie Steedman, said she last saw her son at Dargaville Hospital on June 30, where she believed he was due to be transferred to Whangārei Hospital.

“He wasn’t in a good state of mind,” she said, reflecting on how she had returned to the hospital the following day to check on her son, only to learn he had been discharged.

“They told me he left on foot, but he was actually picked up,” Steeedman said.

She said her son had autism and disappeared without many of his essential belongings.

“He had no clothes, no wallet, a flat phone and was missing his car keys too.”

“This is very unusual. He can’t just disappear like this.”

Police first appealed for information on July 7, saying Steedman had been missing for a week after he was last seen leaving Cranley St in Dargaville about 4pm on June 30.

He was believed to have been wearing black pants, a black sweatshirt and red shoes.

Police have urged anyone who saw Steedman in Dargaville or the surrounding area from about 3.30pm that day to come forward. Residents have also been asked to check sheds, garages and backyards in case he sought shelter.

Anyone with information about Steedman’s whereabouts is asked to contact Police on 105, quoting file number 260702/0678.