Alzheimer's patient found

MISSING: Police are searching for Wairoa Alzheimer's patient Andrew McGregor. PHOTO SUPPLIED

The elderly man who went missing more than a day ago has today been found safe and well.

Senior Sergeant Tony Bates, of Wairoa Police, said 73-year-old Andrew McGregor, who disappeared from his home on Monday morning with his maroon 1999 Toyota Camry car and pet fox terrier Benji was found shortly after 5pm today.

Police had been asking residents of Wairoa and Napier to keep an eye out for Mr McGregor, the vehicle and the dog.

It had been said the man suffered from Alzheimers,

An aerial search of the Napier-Wairoa road was mounted mid-afternoon yesterday.

Senior sergeant David Sutherland said Mr McGregor was found by residents in Bridget St Clive, who took him in and gave him a meal and a cup of tea while police were contacted.

The people who found him had known about a missing person through a local community Facebook page set up for the residents of Clive.

It is believed Mr McGregor spent most of the day in the area, and was recognised while he was knocking on doors looking for friends he knew some time ago.

"The family are very happy to have their father back with them and grateful to the residents of Clive who took him in and contacted the police," Mr Sutherland said.