Uncle of man missing in Tongariro bush determined to find his 'wing man'

Vincent Taurima, 21, pictured with son TJ, 1, has been missing in Tongariro National Park for nearly two weeks. Photo/ supplied

One of the men missing in Tongariro National Park is the father of a baby boy.

The uncle of Vincent Taurima, 21, is still hopeful his "wing man" will be found alive, 12 days after he fled police, disappearing into dense bush.

Taurima was father to Tony Junior, known as TJ, aged 1, Hedleigh Balloch said.

Balloch, 22, said despite being Taurima's uncle, the two had been raised like brothers.

"He's my wing man," he told the Rotorua Daily Post.

"We ain't going to leave here until we have him to take back home.

"People think he's dead but ... he's a soldier aye. He's had a lot of miracles in his life."

Balloch said his nephew, who he'd been living with in the Manawatu for the past year and a half, was a "lover" who would do anything for his friends.

"He's respectable, respects everyone, treats everyone the same.

"He does more for other people than he does himself."

Balloch said he was still determined to search for Taurima, defying police instruction not to.

"I got a growling, but I'd rather be out there looking for my family. I know he'd risk his life for me, and I'd do the same for him. That's why I've been going out there."

Taurima has been missing since Saturday August 12, after he and Hakopa Ngaronoa, 26, failed to stop for police on the Desert Rd.

The pair were in an allegedly stolen car.

After dumping the car on Tree Trunk Gorge Rd, they ran into Tongariro National Park and have not been seen since.

Police searching the National Park briefly heard the men's voices while searching last Monday, and several items of clothing believed to belong to the men have been found in the days since.

The national dive squad, police dogs and search and rescue volunteers made up search crews which at one point numbered more than 100 people, but the men have not been found.

The National Dive Squad joins the search for Vincent Taurima, 21, and Hakopa Ngaronoa, 26. Photo/ NZ Police

Last night police said the operation had entered a new phase, and a rahui had been placed on the search area by Ngati Tuwharetoa, the local iwi.

Rahui is a cultural protocol restricting the site from any common use or activity.

It is also an acknowledgement of the significance of what has occurred on the site and it protects the site from disturbance, police said.

Whanau of both men had been staying in Turangi since the beginning of the search and Tuwharetoa kaumatua Te Ngaehe Wanikau said iwi presence had helped forge a working relationship between whanau, who had gang ties, and police.

"I believe having tribal involvement and practising tikanga, like karakia at the meetings, helped us all work together in a collaborative manner," Wanikau said.

"Relationships were formed between police and some of the family members. We had a cup of tea yesterday and there was a real warmth in the conversation.

"Working together has changed the dynamic within. So it wasn't so confrontational and 'them and us'. It's just 'us'."

Aerial views of the area in the Tongariro National Park being searched by police. Photo/ NZ Police

TIMELINE - WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

Saturday August 12: Vincent Taurima, 21 and Hakopa Ngaronoa, 26, fail to stop for police in an allegedly stolen car on the Desert Rd. The pair flee on foot into dense bush in Tongariro National Park

Sunday 13: Police begin their search for the men

Monday 14: Five search teams, including two search and rescue dogs, look for the men in the far eastern edge of the Park.

Despite briefly hearing the men's voices, search teams don't manage to see them, but an old campfire and a few items of clothing believed to belong to the men are found.

Tuesday 15: 40 Search and Rescue (LandSAR) volunteers arrive to join the search. Police say the pair are likely hypothermic by now.

Wednesday 16: The Army is brought in to assist the search, with about a dozen personnel joining LandSAR volunteers and police.

Thursday 17: The search continues in the approximate 3sq km area between Tree Trunk Rd and the Pillars of Hercules.

Friday 18: The National Dive Squad joins the search, trawling creeks and streams in the search area.

Saturday 19: 101 people join the search for the men, most of them volunteers. People come from as far away as Wellington and Auckland to help.

The dive squad complete their search of the Mangatawai Stream and the area which joins Tongariro River. A beanie thought to belong to one of the men is found.

Sunday 20: About 60 police and LandSAR volunteers search for the men without success.

Monday 21: A police dog re-joins the search.

Tuesday 22: A karakia led by Tuwharetoa is held at the search site and a rahui is placed on the area between Mangamate Stream to the north, Makahikatoa Stream to the south, the Desert Rd to the west and Tongariro River to the east.

Police confirm the search has entered a new phase but do not elaborate.

Wednesday 23: Police announce the rahui will remain on the site for the rest of the week while the next stages of the search are considered.