A police handout photo, taken from Facebook, shows the two missing girls 10-year-old Lily and 8-year-old Pearl. Photo: Supplied/NZ Police
Two girls who were last seen on Monday night have been found in Auckland, police say.
Last night, police put out an urgent appeal for sightings of the children, Lily and Pearl, aged 10 and 8.
They were last seen at 11pm on 2 January at a South Auckland petrol station.
The Toyota Camry in which they were travelling was seen again on 3 January in New Plymouth.
Their mother was found alone in Wellington that night and arrested. She has been charged with breaching a parenting order.
In a statement just after 10.30am, Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry said the girls were found a short time ago at an address in the West Auckland suburb of Henderson.
"The girls are safe and well and will be returned to family who are extremely relieved at this news.
"The people at the address where they were found are assisting Police with our enquiries."
Verry said he was "extremely relieved" the girls were safe and well.
"This is an example of community and Police working together and I am really appreciative of the public's help which has led to us locating the girls."
He said the investigation was ongoing and police were unable to comment further at this time.
