Police want help from the public to identify a man who posed as an airline pilot and tried to get access to a restricted area at the Auckland domestic air terminal.
The incident occurred on Saturday at about 2.30pm.
Air New Zealand says the man, dressed in a pilot's uniform, tried to pass through a boarding gate but staff challenged him because he did not have the correct indentification.
[image:3097:half:right]Police say the man then left the airport and was last seen getting into the front passenger seat of a black Toyota Hi Ace van, with distinctive tinted windows.
The man is described as caucasian, about six feet tall, aged in his late 20s to early 30s.
Police say he is of medium build with brown hair and has distinctive tattoos on his forearms.
Detective Superintendent Andy Lovelock says attempted breaches of airport security are taken very seriously and police are eager to identify the person.
He says the effort to which the man went to access the restricted area of the airport is of a significant concern.
