Paeroa Police are asking the public for its help to locate a recidivist driving offender who has a warrant issued for his arrest.

Sergeant Phil Caldwell says 28-year-old Paeroa man Joseph Raharaha is wanted by police after failing to appear in the Thames District Court.

Police are appealing for information to help locate Paeroa man Joseph Raharaha, 28, who has a warrant for his arrest. Photo: Supplied

'He was due to face charges of driving while suspended for a third or subsequent offence,” says Phil. 'This related to his being stopped while driving in Paeroa last October while subject to a suspension of his driver's license.”

Phil describes Raharaha as a Maori male of medium build who has connections throughout the Hauraki area.

Suspended drivers are a real risk at this time of year with the influx of holiday motorists travelling through or visiting the area, says Phil.

'To have your license suspended means the courts have recognised your driving behaviour is a risk to others on the road.

'Over the summer the number of reports coming in from the public about bad driving has jumped significantly so the public are saying they are fed up with it.”

Phil adds: 'What we are asking is that anyone knowing Mr Raharaha's whereabouts to contact us so we can take him off the road.”

Anyone with any information on Joseph Raharaha's whereabouts is asked to contact Sergeant Phil Caldwell at the Paeroa Police Station on 07-862-8744.

Information can also be left anonymously with the independent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.