Runaways sought

The mother of two children who ran away from home has been told by authorities to hand them over. Child, Youth and Family revealed there were concerns for the safety of missing brother and sister Te Morehu, 15, and Anahera McLean, 7, who ran away on July 18. They left a Tuakau property about 10pm on foot. A search was called off after it was discovered the pair had been picked up by a family member. CYF spokeswoman Kay Read said the department had urged the family to bring the children out of hiding. She accused the family of using the children as ‘‘bargaining chips’’ in a custody dispute. She said any decisions around the custody of children were a matter for the Family Court.