Police are searching for a group of men who snatched two teenage girls off a central Auckland street.

Claims by two young women who said they were snatched off an Auckland street were lies.

Earlier on Saturday police appealed for information about the alleged abduction after the pair, aged 18 and 19, said they were grabbed by two Maori men at about 3.50am on Queen St.

But on Saturday evening Detective Sergeant Tony McKenzie said the women had "amended their version of events" and the matter was no longer being investigated.

"We are relieved to know the young women did not suffer any harm at the end of their night out but remind everyone who makes a 111 call that they will be treated seriously and our staff will commit time and resources to investigate such claims.

"The young women have been reminded of their responsibilities and we are considering whether any further action with regards to them is necessary."

The two women claimed they had been drinking at a bar and were walking towards Wyndham St when a dark-coloured van pulled up alongside them. Two men - described as Maoris in their mid-20s - jumped out, grabbed the girls and grabbed them into the back of a vehicle.

Supposedly the van's driver, a taller European wearing a black shirt and white trousers, stayed in the vehicle.

They said they were stopped from screaming when hands were held across their mouths and driven to Greenlane where they were pushed out of the vehicle.