It's Karina Thirling's birthday on Sunday - and she wants her dad to be there.
Her father Andreas Thirling, 50, of Whangarei, has been missing for four days after splitting from two hunting companions in the Kaimanawa Ranges on Thursday.
The trio was hunting in the Waipakihi River Valley. Mr Thirling
failed to return on Thursday evening after hunting alone. One of the men walked out to raise the alarm on Friday morning.
Miss Thirling is confident her father will make her birthday, but the wait while searchers hunt for him is hard.
"The waiting is just agony. With every hour that passes the anxiety just increases," Miss Thirling told the Daily Post late yesterday afternoon from the family home in Ruakaka, near Whangarei. Police Search and Rescue chief Senior Constable Barry Shepherd said Mr Thirling had not hunted in the area before. All he had with him were some muesli bars, the clothes he was wearing, a gun, a compass and a GPS (global positioning system).
Mr Shepherd said the man's predicament was worsening as each day passed but he remained optimistic he would be found alive.
Volunteers have been on the ground searching for Mr Thirling.
About 25 people were involved in a search on the ground on Saturday.
Their numbers increased yesterday to more than 40 when more were taken in by the RNZAF Iroquois helicopter.
The Taupo-based Lion Foundation Rescue Helicopter had also conducted an aerial search.
About 25 of those searching yesterday camped out overnight and would continue looking for Mr Thirling today. Three dogs and their handlers were to also be sent in today.
Mr Shepherd said Mr Thirling's two hunting companions were helping with the search.
"It's been a bit cold at night, but the weather's not been too bad," Mr Shepherd said.
The Thirling family emigrated from Germany to New Zealand 12 years ago.
Miss Thirling said she was confident her father, who has been a deer hunter for five years, would be found alive.
"He has got very good survival skills. He has always loved the outdoors and to walk. He is pretty experienced."
