Paula Meafua just wishes she could take the words back. The Bell Block mum argued with her 16-year-old son on Monday 10th June 2013. Upset, Niko Meafua walked out of the house in his bare feet, and with no wallet or cellphone on him. Four days later he is still missing, the police hold grave fears for his safety and she regrets that conversation with her only child. During the fight she told Niko he was not the son she remembered – he had become withdrawn and isolated from her. The family have been walking the streets of Bell Block, Waitara and New Plymouth day and night, searching for the Boys’ High School student. Police officers have interviewed the family, conducted searches and examined the teenager’s bedroom and laptop for clues of his whereabouts. An online campaign had been running on Facebook and the family had been overwhelmed by the support. Niko is a part-time worker at Pak ‘n’ Save and has not turned up for his job. He is Samoan, close to 180 centimetres tall, of slim build with light brown skin, short black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to ring police on (06) 759 5508.When he left home he was wearing a zipped sweat top with black square patterns, black tracksuit pants with two green stripes on the sides and no footwear.
