“His health isn’t the best and he wasn’t in the best mind state when he left either. We’ve contacted our cousin in Hastings and he hasn’t made it to his daughter there either.
Cecil has been missing since September 27.
“He’s our uncle and we love him, we just wanna know that he’s okay. This is completely out of character and we are genuinely concerned,” the statement said.
They said he had no cards, ID or backpack, which he usually took everywhere, and he left his boots at home. He was wearing brown clothing.
He was known to frequent the Greerton, Merivale and Gate Pā areas of Tauranga.
Cecil could not hear well, so having a conversation was difficult.
Whānau had been searching in the Tauranga area and extended their efforts to Te Puke, Rotorua and Taupō, with no luck.
“We have spoken to lots of the homeless in the area. He has not been in any of these circles, as expected. Many acknowledged knowing him or seeing him pass by prior to his take-off, but he has not been in any of those areas recently around Tauranga.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 105 online or by phone, using the reference number 250929/9768.
