Warning for holidaymakers after 10-hour search for man in Northland

Nine police search-and-rescue members searched for the missing man on land, Coastguard looked for him in the water, and the police rescue helicopter searched from above.

Police are warning holidaymakers not to walk alone in unknown areas following a 10-hour search to find a man who got lost on a walk.

Sergeant Craig Burrows said the search was launched about 9pm on Thursday after a 53-year-old Auckland man had not returned from a walk around the rocks at Otamure Bay in Whananaki. The man had set off on the walk about 3.30pm.

Nine police search-and-rescue members searched on land, Coastguard looked in the water and the police rescue helicopter had an aerial view.

Mr Burrows said the man was found at 6.45am the following daynot far from the campground he was staying at.

"He was located uninjured. He had gone out too far and was very apologetic," Mr Burrows said.

Mr Burrows said the temperature that night was moderate and the sea was calm. He said the incident was a warning for people walking in unfamiliar areas.

"This is a reminder for people that if you're going to go for a walk, let people know where you're going and if you don't know the area, don't go alone," he said.