Malo Ioane Luafutu, better known as Scribe, is wanted by Canterbury police for failing to appear in court and various drug-related offences.

The family of hip hop artist Scribe are standing by him, calling him a "teddy bear" who has fallen from grace as he fights a drug addiction.

Scribe, whose real name is Malo Ioane Luafutu﻿, is accused of drugs and weapon-related offences.

The 38-year-old handed himself in on Wednesday after police posted his photo on Facebook saying he was wanted to arrest for failing to appear in court. The post urged the public not to approach him.

Scribe's uncle, Lino Luafutu.

Scribe's uncle, Lino Luafutu, told Stuff the post upset the family.

"We as a family know what's in his heart and he's not this hardened type that he's made out to be.

"He is who he is. He's a big personality, he's had that success and he's fallen from grace. He's not the only one in the world that's happened to."

DAVID WHITE/STUFF New Zealand rap artist Scribe is wanted by police.

Lino Luafutu broke the news to Scribe's mother on Wednesday morning that police were looking for her son. He tried to call Scribe but could not reach him.

He said Scribe told the family in March that he would enter rehab.

"He knew he had to do it and try and get himself better. We all surrounded him and said 'we're here for you'."

Lino Luafutu said he was unsure how his nephew adapted in rehab, but said was confident the rapper could bounce back.

"As long as he's got the support and love from his family he's got every chance of coming around.

"He's young enough to make a good change in his life. It's up to him, but he's still got his family who are willing to go into bat for him and support him."

Police said on Wednesday evening Malo Luafutu had made contact with the court about his outstanding warrant to arrest. He would appear in the Porirua District Court on Thursday.

'WHERE AM I GOING TO HIDE? I'M SCRIBE'

A post on a Facebook page under Scribe's name said: "There are valid reasons why I missed my court date."

"Do I manufacture drugs? No. Do I sell drugs? No. Do I promote drug use? Never."

"Have I made mistakes? Most certainly. See it for what it is. A distraction from what's really happening.

"I'm also a father and how this will effect(sic) my children is all I care about."

"No offence to the police but do u need assistance finding me? Where the f... am I gonna hide? I'm Scribe."

Lino Luafutu said when his nephew was at the "peak of his powers" he had some bad advisers and made some bad choices.

POLICE SOUGHT PUBLIC HELP TO FIND SCRIBE

Scribe was arrested in Phillipstown, Christchurch, on April 2. He was charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a bat, in Olliviers Rd, possession of the Class A drug amphetamine, and possession of a pipe for using amphetamine.

A warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to appear in the Christchurch District Court on July 25.

Christchurch police appealed on Facebook on Wednesday for sightings of the 38-year-old, who is also known as Jeshua Luafutu and Ioane Luafutu.

Anyone who saw him should not approach him and call 111, police said.

The post was later deleted.

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Police looked for Luafutu in both Christchurch and Wellington. He has family ties in both cities. Court documents list his home as a property in Titahi Bay, Wellington.

The day after his arrest, Scribe posted a photograph of his wedding day and vows on Instagram. Two weeks later, he posted a scenic image with the caption: "I never knew finding me, meant losing you."

In March, the music star revealed he would spend the next three months in a rehabilitation unit, his "greatest and most hardest crusade ever".

He wrote on Instagram about his struggles and planned admission to rehab, but said he was clean.

"Addiction is a symptom, not a choice for me . . . I've overcome many trials and tribulations by embracing the truth, no matter how humiliating or shameful it may be.

"I will be back a better and stronger me to take this world by storm."

On April 26 the father-of-four posted "one step at a time... one day at a time. 3 weeks sober. No celebration just sayin". Last month he said he knew "a thing or two about faith and the testing of one's inner heart."

"I like the impossible odds. I've been against them all my life. How else do miracles occur?"

In 2011, he told TV3 his family had "cut me off from money" to mitigate his problems, and his wild times had led to his girlfriend moving to Australia with their two children.

"If it wasn't for my family and my kids I would still be caught in that rut . . . I'm much wiser, much stronger and I know how to handle things better."

Every day was still a struggle, he said at the time.

Luafutu was 24 when he burst onto the New Zealand rap scene with the singles Not Many and Stand Up.

His debut album, Crusader, reached platinum sales five times (about 85,000 sales) in New Zealand and 100,000 in Australia after it was released in October 2003. His songs often discussed his struggle with fame and success, but not his addictions.

In 2008, Christchurch pawnbroker Shane Lilley took 11 of Luafutu's awards as security for a personal loan. The rapper failed to repay the $5500 debt, and Lilley put four of the certificates marking Luafutu's platinum sales on Trade Me.

In 2015, Luafutu put his life story on stage in the play The White Guitar, which also featured his brother and father. The play told the story of his history with gangs, homelessness and abuse.