Land Search and Rescue Northland Rapa Taiwhenua’s most experienced member Grant Conaghan QSM (left) leads the organisation’s incident management team during the search for an 83-year-old man who is believed to have gone missing during his daily swim in Whangārei Harbour. Also pictured is radio communications manager Brian Winger, who has 30 years of experience with the Northland branch. Photo / S Curtis
The 83-year-old has not been seen since Saturday evening. It was believed he went swimming on Sunday morning in the upper Whangārei Harbour near Onerahi.
The search had been focused on the area around Onerahi and Waikaraka across to One Tree Point on the other side of the harbour.
Detective Sergeant Paul Overton said a two-week rāhui had been placed covering the upper Whangārei Harbour.
“We are continuing to appeal to the public, and in particular to motorists who were in the Beach Road area in Onerahi on the morning of Sunday, 20 October, between 8am-11am,” he said.
“If you have any dashcam footage or information that may assist, please update us at 105 online or call 105 referencing file number 241021/1742.”
Earlier this week, police said the man usually wore a wetsuit and a pink swim cap.