Police have responded to a wanted man's Facebook taunt, saying the only thing he has achieved is to draw more attention to himself.



Michael Shane Hagger, 34, has three arrest warrants for failing to show up in Taupo District Court. Over the weekend he taunted police on their own Facebook page while on the run to avoid being arrested.



The Tauhara Paetiki Neighbourhood Policing Team posted Hagger's picture on Saturday with the message calling for information on his whereabouts.



Hagger responded on the post saying "hoo rah", which gained 53 likes.



The neighbourhood policing team said they were glad Hagger liked their page and asked him to get in touch with a Detective Dunne "to get these matters sorted", but Taupo police said today that he had not done so and police were still looking for him.



His post has now been removed from the Facebook page, however, members of the public were still leaving tips for police and the screenshot of the exchange had been tweeted a number of times on Twitter.



Acting Area Commander for Taupo, Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen said Hagger had now made the job of hiding that much more difficult for himself.



"If Mr Hagger was hoping to elude police he clearly underestimated the power of social media. By attempting to taunt police he has simply drawn national attention to himself and increased our chances of finding him.



"He would be wise to heed the initial response to his Facebook message and make contact with us to get the outstanding matters resolved."



Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said Hagger was originally wanted in court for charges relating to shoplifting.



He has been wanted since May and his Facebook page says he lives in Taupo, but has family in Kaitaia and Auckland.



*If anyone has information on Hagger's whereabouts they are being asked to call Taupo Police on 07 378 6060 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line 0800 555 111.

BRASH: Michael Hagger has taunted police searching for him with three warrants for his arrest.