Police are warning residents in the West Auckland suburb of New Lynn that a rapist they are hunting for poses a risk to the public.
They say a man entered a home in the area between 3am and 5am on Saturday and raped a 45-year-old woman.
Detective Sergeant Peter Litherland says anyone in the area of Tahi Terrace, Rua Road and Fruitvale Road should be particularly vigilant and take reasonable security precautions.
Detective Sergeant Litherland says there is a distinct possibility that the man lives in the area and people should report any suspicious incidents they see.
He says they only have a limited description of the man, who was not known to the victim.
Anyone who saw a light skinned man of tall, solid build wearing light coloured shorts and a t-shirt in the early hours of Saturday is asked to contact the police.