'He's worse for wear but a great outcome' says Kyle's father

Police, fire and ambulance services at the location were missing boy Kyle Mcgillivray was found. Approx 5 km from Marton town centre. Photo / Bevan Conley, Wanganui Chronicle

After a sleepless night, Kyle's dad Warren McGillivray today said he was overwhelmed at the help members of the public offered when Kyle went missing.

Mr McGillivray said Kyle was "pretty cold and wet" after spending the night in a paddock.

"He was found face down in the paddock. So they've sort of warmed him up and he's eating a bit of food, so hopefully he'll make a full recovery."

Mr McGillivray said he wanted to thank the police and everybody else who helped search for Kyle, who went missing about 3pm.

"It was mind-blowing to be honest...too many people to name, really."

The McGillivrays went from Whanganui to Marton immediately on hearing Kyle was missing.

"We were over there by sort of quarter to four, starting to search."

Mr McGillivray said police used dogs to try and find Kyle. This meant some volunteers searching on foot were asked to drive instead.

"We ended up just having to let everyone know we appreciate the help and if they wanted to, search just in vehicles only, just so they didn't disturb any of the possible leads, scent-wise and everything for the dogs."

He said a few girls were out helping with the search for Kyle and on the fringes of the search area found him at about 10am today.

"There he was in the paddock."

Mr McGillivray was going back to Whanganui Base Hospital this afternoon where Kyle was having a routine check-up.

"He should be all right...a bit worse for wear but it's a good outcome."