Community rallies to find missing Nikita

A search mission for a missing 9-year-old in Tokoroa on March 11 proved the power of social media.

Nikita Roberts’ family was overwhelmed by the support shown by their small community after a cry for help was posted on the Genuine Tokoroa Facebook page on March 11.

Nikita’s mother Liz said the young girl was last seen by her family riding her purple bike around the house about 5pm that evening.

A few hours later a family member took to Facebook with a plea for people to keep their eyes peeled.

Before long ‘‘half the town’’ was out looking for her, Mrs Roberts said, most of whom were complete strangers. ‘‘It was just amazing. ‘‘People went into abandoned homes, alleyways, vacant lots and pretty scary places for us.’’

Sonia Smith had no idea who Nikita was when she began her search.

‘‘I went through alleyways, and in the darkness cars upon cars were slowly driving down almost every street.

‘‘There were torches galore . . . and one thing went through my mind [other than finding this girl] – I love my community.’’

Relief came to the hundreds just past midnight when Nikita was found safe at a friend’s house.

Senior Sergeant Graeme Hill said it is not the first time community has rallied together to help find missing children.