Waihi Police are investigating the kidnapping of a 29-year-old woman whose ordeal ended on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Police say the woman got into a vehicle driven by the offender in Auckland yesterday on the pretence that they would be going to visit an associate in a nearby suburb.

File photo.

'Once inside the vehicle, which was stolen, the offender drove to the Coromandel Peninsula keeping the victim in the vehicle as he drove,” says Detective Sergeant Jason Perry.

'The offender assaulted the victim several times throughout the two - three hour ordeal.”

Once in the Coromandel on the Whangapoa hill, 2km from Coromandel, the vehicle ran out of petrol.

Jason says the victim seized the opportunity to escape from the vehicle and after managing to open the passenger door and freeing herself from the offenders grip, ran off.

The victim managed to locate a house some 50 - 100 metres from the vehicle and the owners of the house, a very friendly and helpful couple, took the victim in and kept her safe until the Police and other emergency services arrived.

Police subsequently seized the vehicle for examination.

Jason says investigating officer are seeking information on any sightings of a silver Subaru Legacy station wagon registration number BJY 539 travelling from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula between 7pm and 9.30pm on Easter Monday.

Police wish to speak to Brett Makiri in relation this matter.

Makiri is a male Maori aged 23-years-old of slim build with long black hair.

His whereabouts is currently unknown.

Jason says this is a very serious incident and the outcome could have been even worse than it has been for the victim had she not managed to escape from the vehicle.

Any information can be provided to the Waihi CIB on (07)8638179 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and given anonymously.