Emergency services were last night searching for a man missing in the Waikato River, after he entered the river from a popular natural hot pools in Taupo.

Police were alerted just before 9pm after other swimmers at Spa Park hot pools saw him disappear about 200m downstream.

The man had swum into the main flow of the Waikato River but did not get back to the river bank.

The natural hot pools, popular with Taupo locals and visitors, is where the Otumuheke Stream flows into the Waikato River.

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Taupo Police, the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, Coastguard Lake Taupo and Land Search and Rescue Taupo volunteers all took part in the search.

Late last night the man was still missing and the Police National Dive Squad will join the search effort today.

Police did not know the identity of the man last night.

Senior Constable Barry Shepherd said they would be grateful for any information that could help to identify him.

If he had swum successfully down the river from Spa Park to Reids Farm, Police are urging him to call.

Anyone with information should call 111 and ask for Police.

Police said there were about 20 people at Spa Park last night when the man went missing.