Western Bay of Plenty Police are appealing for any information that could help them locate 31-year-old Julian James Varley.

A statement issued by NZ Police says they now hold serious fears for the safety and wellbeing of Julian, who has been missing from the Tauranga area since Thursday, January 23 2020.

'The last confirmed sighting of Julian was on that afternoon, when he was captured on CCTV driving his blue and silver 1998 Nissan Pulsar about 3pm at the Poike roundabout on State Highway 29A in Tauranga.”

A member of the public found Julian's Pulsar on fire on Oropi Road near State Highway 36 at 1am on Friday January 24.

'The car was totally destroyed by the fire,” says the statement.

'Julian has had no contact with family, friends or his two young children since the day he was last seen, and he has not accessed his bank account or used his cell phone since that date.”

He is known to have associations across the Western Bay of Plenty and Eastern Waikato.

'A team of eight detectives are currently working on the case and are urgently appealing for anyone with information about Julian, or the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, to come forward and speak with police.”

'We urge you to get in touch by phoning 105 and quoting file number 200128/0613. You can also give information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”