Two chopper searches fail to find missing fisherman

Northland police hold fears for the safety of a 57-year-old fisherman who did not return home from fishing yesterday.

Whangarei police Inspector Paul Dimery said the man went fishing off the rocks on the north side of Matapouri Beach, northeast of Whangarei, at 3pm yesterday.

He was due home at 6pm. The alarm was raised at 8pm when he failed to return.

Mr Dimery said the man was wearing only shorts and a T-shirt and had no protective equipment.

Two helicopter searches, one at midnight and one at first light, have failed to find him.

A full coastline search was being mounted, Mr Dimery said.

- NZPA