Search for Huntly man who failed to return from beach

A search was to resume this morning for a Huntly man who went missing at a Waikato beach yesterday.

The 64-year-old's family called authorities when the man failed to return from Ruapuke Beach, 18km southwest of Raglan, by 7pm.

Constable Carey Williamson, of Raglan police, said people had seen the man return from kayaking before going back into the water without the kayak mid-afternoon.

The man's vehicle, dog and kayak were found in the area.

An aerial search last night failed to find him.

The beach is known to be a dangerous place to swim and Waikato District Council had erected warning signs after a man died while trying to save his daughter in 2001.

Last year a coroner said it was likely Keith Meyer, 23, who disappeared while swimming on the beach, had drowned.

- NZPA