Police appeal for sightings of 83-year-old swimmer missing in Whangārei Harbour

Land Search and Rescue Northland Rapa Taiwhenua’s most experienced member Grant Conaghan QSM (left) leads the organisation’s incident management team during the search for an 83-year-old man who is believed to have gone missing during his daily swim in Whangārei Harbour. Also pictured is radio communications manager Brian Winger, who has 30 years of experience with the Northland branch. Photo / S Curtis

A search for a missing swimmer in Whangārei Harbour continues with police appealing for the public’s help to find the 83-year-old.

The man, who has not been named, was reported missing on Monday night (October 21) and was last seen on Saturday.

Searchers began scouring the water and shoreline around Onerahi and surrounding areas of Whangārei harbour on Tuesday after it was suspected he most likely went missing there.

“The man typically goes for a daily swim in the Whangārei Harbour and wears a wet suit and pink swim cap,” a police spokesperson said.

The search for the missing swimming is based at Onerahi Yacht Club. Photo / S Curtis

This afternoon police appealed for sightings of the missing swimmer.

“Police, Coastguard and Surf Life Saving New Zealand have continued to search for a man believed missing in the water off Onerahi, Northland,” the spokesperson said.

The Police Eagle Helicopter was deployed to conduct a wide search of the area.

And, Coastguard would be conducting a dummy exercise in the water, to detect currents.

Police are appealing for any public sightings of the man, particularly by motorists who were in the Beach Rd area of Onerahi on Sunday, October 20 between, 8am–11am.

If you saw the swimmer or have any dashcam footage from the area that relates, please update police at 105 online or call 105 referencing file number 241021/1742.

The search is based at Onerahi Yacht Club. Police said they were grateful for the assistance of all the organisations involved: Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) Northland Rapa Taiwhenua, squads from Whangārei Heads Volunteer Surf Life Saving Patrol and Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club, Coastguard Whangārei, and Northland Coastguard air patrol volunteers.

Searchers have been scouring parts of Whangārei Harbour and surrounding beach areas and mangrove swamps for the missing man. Photo / S Curtis

A spokesperson for SLSNZ said, “Our thoughts are with the missing person’s friends and whānau during this difficult time.”

Brodie Stone and Sarah Curtis are staff reporters at the Northern Advocate.