UPDATED 2.06PM: Police have described a man they believe snatched a five-year-old girl in Palmerston North on Friday morning.

Shekinah Relies-Skipper was pulled into a car by the man while walking to school, and was returned just a few hours later.

Manawatu Area Commander, Inspector Sarah Stewart said the man is in his late 50s, with salt and pepper hair and facial stubble.

She said he's Caucasian, around 5 foot nine inches tall, of slim build.

She said he has a scruffy look, and may have some teeth missing.

Anyone who saw someone matching the man's description in the Shamrock Street area on Friday morning should call police.

Police are also examining CCTV footage to help with their investigation, and trying to locate the man's late model white Nissan Maxima. 

Footage from a house in Shamrock Street shows the car driving past not long before the girl was taken on Friday morning, and then going back in the opposite direction.

Criminologist Greg Newbold said it's likely the offender will be lying low, and shaking in his boots.

Inspector Sarah Stewart said the young girl was taken by someone not known to her, and they want to catch him to find out why.

Inspector Stewart said the incident is rare here in New Zealand, but it's every family's worst nightmare.