A Hamilton man facing sentencing on sex charges has fled the country using a false passport, police say.
Christopher Crause, 47, was found guilty of a number of charges involving two underage girls in 2009.
After being convicted in March, Crause was granted bail to get his affairs in order before the likelihood of going to prison.
He was due to be sentenced in the Hamilton District Court last month, but failed to turn up.
Police say he travelled to Australia on a false passport and then on to South Africa using his legitimate passport.
They have contacted Interpol, which will liaise with police in South Africa to try to locate him.
Meanwhile, Crause's wife has been charged with conspiring to defeat the course of justice by making a false statement that enabled him to obtain his false documentation.
