Missing intellectually disabled man has history of hiding

Lewis Munro

He said in the past, Mr Munro had sometimes hidden for three to four days before being found. Mr Were said that meant searchers had to physically find him.

Mr Were said searchers believed Mr Munro had taken his shoes off. He said they had found footprints, but nothing leading to the missing man.

The number of searchers looking for Mr Munro has been boosted to 50.

Extra staff have been brought in from Auckland, Thames-Coromandel and Tauranga. Specialist cavers are also on standby from Waitomo.

Mr Munro, and Alfred Jonakait, 53, also intellectually disabled, went missing during an IHC group outing in the bush near Te Kuiti.

Mr Jonakait was found about 9pm Monday.

Senior Sergeant Rob Van Kalken said there was an indication Mr Munro had taken off his boots, Radio NZ reported.

He said police hoped Mr Munro would keep walking in search of food or shelter.

About 30 police and civilians have resumed searching today.

IHC communications manager Philippa Sellens told NZPA the pair were on an organised outing which included a picnic and bush walk.

The organisation had started an inquiry into how they had gone missing but the primary focus was on finding Mr Munro, who she said had an intellectual disability but was mobile.

Mr Munro is a male Caucasian with grey hair and glasses who was wearing red tracksuit pants and a top.

- NZPA