Nigel Peterson search to resume in Rotorua 167 days after first went missing

Missing man Nigel Peterson. Photo/File

Nigel Peterson was last seen in on November 17 in CCTV footage at the Hemo Gorge roundabout in Rotorua.

Today police have announced they will resume the search for the 33-year-old autistic man after gaining new information from a behavioural science profile.

"This new information regarding Nigel's possible behaviour around the time he went missing has given Rotorua Police a better understanding of his potential movements and areas he may have gone," said Constable John Fredericksen.

"As a result, police, family members, and LandSar personnel will spend the coming week planning.

"Then on the 11th, 12th and 13th of May teams will search both new and already covered areas, in the hope of finding some evidence to indicate what happened to Nigel."

Peterson ran away from his 24-hour caregiver about 3pm on November 17 towards Old Taupo Rd.

The slim man of medium height was wearing a green T-shirt, light brown pants, brown sneakers and possibly a denim jacket.

Fredericksen said Thursday the goal was is to provide some closure for Peterson's family, who still hope he will be found and and returned to them.

Police would still like to hear from anyone who believes they may have seen Peterson in and around Rotorua since his disappearance, and in the week following.

The search:
• November 17, 3pm: Nigel Peterson was last seen at 3pm on Otonga Rd, heading towards Old Taupo Rd
• November 17, 4pm: Credible sighting of Nigel at the Hemo Gorge intersection
• November 21: Police began a door-to-door search of more than 1200 properties in the area
• November 24: Police used heat-seeking drones
• November 25-26: Police cover the area south of Rotorua towards Tumunui
• November 27: Heli-resources loaned a helicopter to cover a large area around SH5 and Highlands Loop Rd
• December 1: Police spent 45 minutes giving out flyers to cars travelling through Hemo Gorge
• December 3: Potentially useful information was received from the area around Lake Rerewhakaaitu
• December 5: Police temporarily suspended the ground search as they continued inquiries into credible sightings
• December 9-10: Police and Land Search and Rescue completed searches south of Tumunui on SH5 and out towards Lake Rerewhakaaitu on SH38
• December 9-10: Police ask the Behaviour Science Unit to help build a better understanding of Peterson.