The Navy, a dive squad, Fire and Emergency NZ and Coastguard were all assisting and police were liaising with the man's family.
The spokeswoman understood the divers joined the search yesterday.
Police have released a photograph of the man but have not named him.
The man was in a black and yellow blow-up kayak when he disappeared and was wearing a dark green jacket. Police have previously said it was not known if the man was wearing a life jacket.
"Police continue to ask anyone who may have seen this man or his kayak to come forward."
Several of the man's friends, also visitors to New Zealand, have issued public pleas on social media, asking for the public's help in the search.
Speaking to the Rotorua Daily Post on Tuesday, Théo Bouteiller said he became friends with the man after the two met in Auckland.
He understood the man arrived in New Zealand from Montpellier, France last month with plans to stay for a year.
Bouteiller said they had been working as fruit pickers and travelling around the country.
His friend was last seen wearing a bright hoodie with "Periplus" written on the front, under a dark jacket. Periples is the French word for journeys.
Zé Na, another of the man's friends, said she knew the search teams were doing their best.
• Anyone who might be able to help is asked to contact the police by calling 105 and quoting event number P052355407.