Missing teen Jaden Chhayrann. Photo / Supplied
The search continues for missing teenager Jaden Chhayrann nearly a week after he was swept out to sea on a school trip at Waihī Beach.
The boy was reportedly caught in a rip on Friday, with police advised at about 12.40pm that he had gotten into trouble near the Top 10 Holiday Park on Beach Rd.
The 17-year-old had been part of a group swimming in the area.
Police confirmed that the search would continue today with shoreline and coastline searches along Waihī Beach.
The local Surf Lifesaving Club also remained involved in the search effort.
A Surf Life Saving New Zealand spokesperson said one IRB crew had gone out at daybreak today.
Two IRB crews will head out this afternoon to search the north end of Waihī Beach.
"The search area has been made bigger and they will be searching from Homunga Bay to Whiritoa for the next few days."
The Police and Surf Lifeguards involved in the search for Jaden were reassessing the situation every day depending on the conditions.
READ MORE:
• Waihī Beach tragedy: Searchers refuse to give up on Jaden Chhayrann
• School-trip beach tragedy: Melville High School student Jaden Chhayrann missing presumed drowned
• School-trip beach tragedy: Independent investigator may be called in
• Drowning toll report shows boaties are not wearing life jackets correctly
Melville High School in Hamilton, where Chhayrann was a student, was considering appointing an independent investigation into the suspected tragedy.
The school's board of trustees hosted a meeting yesterday to speak about the incident and consider the employment of an independent investigator.
The incident had been referred to the coroner.
'I feel confident knowing ... he’ll never be able to work for emergency services again.'