Family, police appeal to public for help finding PhD student Sam Newton whose car was found at Piha's Mercer Bay loop track

SIGNALSMONITORSECURITY

What's happening

SignalsMonitor is following this as a security story. RNZ is the outlet attached so far. The reports are tied to Global. The first report grouped here was at 21 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC. The headline in use is “Family, police appeal to public for help finding PhD student Sam Newton whose car was found at Piha's Mercer Bay loop track”. This note is SignalsMonitor's own briefing, not the publisher's article.

What we know

The family of Sam Newton say he is a much-loved son, husband and father and his disappearance is deeply concerning.

RNZRead at RNZ

Story timeline

Reports grouped into this story, earliest first. Exact repeats from the same outlet are collapsed.

1 hour ago
First reported by RNZ
Family, police appeal to public for help finding PhD student Sam Newton whose car was found at Piha's Mercer Bay loop track

Reported by 1 outlet

RNZFamily, police appeal to public for help finding PhD student Sam Newton whose car was found at Piha's Mercer Bay loop track1 hour ago