Missing NZ man 'survived on seaweed'

A Gisborne man who went missing more a week ago was found this morning - camping on the city's Kaiti Beach.

Ernst Spreiter, a 58-year-old sickness beneficiary, disappeared after leaving his Ormond Road home to go for a walk on September 6.

Police suspected he had "gone bush" as he had done so in the past.

A member of the public spotted someone camping on Kaiti Beach this morning and alerted police who found Mr Spreiter.

Police said Mr Spreiter had been surviving on seaweed and whatever seafood he could gather.

He had since been taken to Gisborne police station for a medical assessment.

- NZPA