A 15-year-old girl who was reported missing in New Plymouth has been found safe after spending the night outdoors, police confirmed on Saturday morning.
According to a report by Stuff, the teenager was last seen at around 12.10 am after entering the back bush off Hobart Drive following an argument with her mother.
Police launched an appeal overnight, expressing concern for the girl's welfare and warning that she was "ill equipped to spend a night outside," as quoted by Stuff.
Authorities believed she was not wearing shoes or carrying a jacket or jumper when she left, raising fears as overnight temperatures in New Plymouth dropped to between 8°C and 9°C, according to MetService, Stuff has reported.
Shortly after 8 am, police confirmed the teenager had been located safely.
No further details about her condition or the circumstances surrounding her disappearance have been released, as reported by Stuff.