“She’s only 17.”
The family are desperate for news but have not been made aware of any leads or sightings at this stage.
“We’re kind of losing hope, but we’re trying not to.”
Bennett is very outgoing, bubbly and nice, her aunt said.
She said Bennett has a close sibling bond with her sister, and her family enjoyed kapa haka.
“This is not usually like her at all.”
Police and Whetu’s family are deeply concerned for her safety.
The aunt said if Bennett saw this story she wanted her niece to contact her “sisters, her brothers, anybody”.
“Let her know that, just let all of us know that she’s safe, if she needs to be picked up, we can get her picked up, but just to make contact with somebody.”
A social media post by a family member said Bennett was wearing a black dress, beige top and sunglasses when last seen.
“Her partner has called my mum in Morrinsville to inform her that he hasn’t seen her since [Wednesday].
“She isn’t from Auckland and hasn’t got anyone up there she knows.”
The family member said Whetu didn’t have a phone with her to text or call. They said police were looking through CCTV footage from LynnMall.
Another family member told the Herald the boyfriend left Whetu at the mall, returning home without her.
“We are all extremely worried, somebody has to know something. We need to know that she is safe.”
Police urged anyone who sees Bennett to call 111 and use the reference number 250626/5181. Information can also be provided after the fact via the 105 phone service, using the same reference number.
