Police officially end search for missing 5-year-old Jack Dixon

Jack Dixon was swept into the surf a week ago.

Police have now officially ended the search for missing 5-year-old Jack Dixon, who was washed out to sea at Mt Maunganui.

Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair said police were now in the 10th day of the search for the missing boy, and had made the decision to call off search efforts.

There has been no trace of him since he was swept into the sea from Shelly Beach at the base of Mount Maunganui.

Police thanked the community support for the family, and professionals and volunteers who had helped with the search.

"The search for Jack has been a difficult one hampered by weather and sea conditions," he said. "The decision to suspend the search was a difficult one but had been made in consultation with the family; everyone has done everything that they could to find Jack and return him to his family."

Jack has four sisters aged 11, 17, 18 and 20.

A fundraising site had been set up to help Jack's family. The Givealittle site has raised $40,000.

The family, who have expressed a desire to donate funds to the people who have helped search for Jack, released a statement yesterday sharing their gratitude to searchers.

"During what has been an extremely tough week for our family, we would once again like to say thank you to every single person who has reached out to us with your caring comments, gestures, thoughts, offers of support and donations.

"The selflessness and generosity of so many has enabled us to draw strength from you all in this difficult time.

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and please know that we will be eternally grateful."