By Cleo Fraser
The mother of missing Hamilton woman Rae Portman has revealed that her daughter was pregnant when she disappeared more than two months ago.
Speaking at a media conference in south Auckland today, Rebecca Norton gave an emotional plea to anyone who may have information about her daughter's disappearance to contact police.
"Welcome to every mother's worst nightmare," she said. "And it's likely that it's a nightmare that's come true at this stage."
Ms Portman, 33, who police say is involved with the drug scene, was last seen on June 20 when she booked into a Mt Albert motel and travelled to east and south Auckland.
Police have grave fears for her safety.
Through tears Ms Norton said her daughter, who has the nickname "Boky", was four months' pregnant at the time of her disappearance with what would be Ms Norton's first grandchild.
“Not only am I grieving the loss of my daughter, I’m actually in the position where I’m grieving my first grandchild,” she says.
"I think the hardest thing is not actually knowing what happened to her and I beg someone in the public to come out ... somebody knows something, somewhere.”
"Even though we don't know where Rae is at this stage it's like grieving for the loss of your child."
Three people have been arrested on assault and drugs charges but police say they are not related to Ms Portman's disappearance.
Ms Portman did not have a partner and her family did not report her missing until the beginning of July because they were used to not hearing from her for weeks at a time.
Police have set up a hotline and a Facebook page for people to offer information.
NZN