Police have confirmed the search for a missing man off Pataua South has wrapped up for the day, with crews set to return the following morning.
The man was one of two people aboard a vessel reported overdue on Friday night. When the boat was located adrift on Saturday morning, neither occupant was on board. The body of one of the two was recovered shortly after the vessel was found, while the second person remains unaccounted for.
A coordinated search throughout Saturday, drawing on Police, the Police Dive Squad, LandSAR, and volunteers from Coastguard Tūtūkākā and Coastguard Whangārei, covered the surrounding coastline and waters without locating the missing man. LandSAR and Coastguard teams were stood down at dusk. The Dive Squad continued working until dark and will return to the water in the morning.
Detective Sergeant Paul Overton acknowledged the considerable efforts of all agencies involved and extended particular thanks to local residents who supported both the search teams and the families throughout the day.
Police are urging anyone who notices anything unusual in the water to call 111 immediately.
