Tigger warning - this article discuses child safety and kidnapping.

Mangawhai, NZ—A community's collective effort led to the safe return of a missing 12-year-old boy on Tuesday evening. The boy had not turned up to meet friends in the afternoon as expected, prompting concern and a widespread search.

The Mangawhai community sprang into action, with numerous residents leaving their homes in the cold to help search for the missing boy. The response was overwhelming, as people who did not even know the family joined in, demonstrating the tight-knit spirit of the community.

"We cannot thank this community enough. The support we received was phenomenal," the family shared. "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped search, even those we didn’t know. It’s moments like these that remind us of the strength and kindness in our community."

The boy was found safe and sound, bringing relief to everyone involved. The family expressed their heartfelt thanks to all who participated in the search.

The community is already on high alert after two separate kidnapping attempts of children at the local school while walking home. This occurred on the first week back after the school holidays. The first incident involved a man in a white van trying to get a child into his van. The second event involved a man in a black van. It is not known if it is the same person. Both events occurred on the same side street near the school. The police were informed, and extra patrols put in place. The school responded quickly putting in extra safety procedures for before and after school, as well as ramping up their Child Safety lessons.

Please be aware and on the look out for suspicious behaviour especially around our children. We need to work together as Mangawhai community has done recently to keep our children safe.