No sightings of teenager at Pakiri

Pakiri beach on the East coast north of Auckland where the missing woman was last seen. File Photo / NZ Herald

There have been no more sightings of a distressed young woman who was observed splashing about in the Northland sea about 9.30pm yesterday, police say.

A member of a group of fishers called police after the woman in her late teens, who was described as crying and in a distressed condition, entered the water at Pakiri Beach on the east coast 90km north of Auckland.

The group had approached the teenager while she was on the beach to check on her wellbeing, and she told them she was all right and going to go for a swim, a police spokesman said.

Shortly afterwards she entered the water in her clothes, but was "splashing about" and did not appear to be in any difficulty, he said.

However, they called police after they did not see her come out of the surf and became concerned for her safety.

Two helicopters searched the beach and nearby coastline until almost 1am but no sightings were made. Sea conditions at the time were described as becoming rough.

She has not been sighted by police in a four-wheel drive and a rescue helicopter, and police were trying to find out her identity.

Local surf club members are keeping a lookout for her.

Weather in the area is deteriorating, and heavy rain and winds are expected this afternoon. There is a high surf and conditions are rough.

Warkworth police said no female had been reported missing.

The woman was Caucasian, aged 16 to 18. She has blonde, shoulder-length hair and is of slim build.

She was wearing a white tee-shirt with a black symbol on the front, black shorts with white dots, and a black cardigan.

Anyone with information should call Warkworth Police.

- NZPA