Search for missing Northland 83-year-old swimmer scaled back

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

By RNZ

Police are scaling back their search for an elderly man who went missing in Northland at the weekend.

The 83-year-old has not been seen since Saturday evening. It was believed he went swimming on Sunday morning in the upper Whangārei Harbour near Onerahi.

The search had been focused on the area around Onerahi and Waikaraka across to One Tree Point on the other side of the harbour.

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

Detective Sergeant Paul Overton said a two-week rāhui had been placed covering the upper Whangārei Harbour.

“We are continuing to appeal to the public, and in particular to motorists who were in the Beach Road area in Onerahi on the morning of Sunday, 20 October, between 8am-11am,” he said.

“If you have any dashcam footage or information that may assist, please update us at 105 online or call 105 referencing file number 241021/1742.”

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

Earlier this week, police said the man usually wore a wetsuit and a pink swim cap.

Police thanked the Onerahi Yacht Club, Northland and Far North Search and Rescue and the Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club for their help.

- RNZ