Search effort starts afresh

DETERMINED: Police Search and Rescue O/C Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe (centre, in black) with the team assembled at Taipa on Tuesday.

Mick Corden was allowing himself to hope but wasn't confident that he was about to learn what had become of his partner, 49-year-old Leeann Scott, as police and civilian Search and Rescue team members, along with three police cadaver dogs and their handlers, prepared to launch another, three-day search at Taipa on Tuesday.

"I don't think they'll find anything," he said.

"I suppose there's a 50/50 chance, and anything they do find will be a blessing."

Ms Scott was last seen walking at Taipa, not far from her home at Cable Bay, on December 12. Extensive searches since have failed to find any sign of her.

Mr Corden said not knowing what had become of her was "terrible." Ms Scott had not been well but had had everything to live for - she had made a hair appointment, had a job interview coming up, would have celebrated her birthday the week following her disappearance and had family coming up from Auckland.

He was grateful for all that had been done in an effort to find her, however.

"Everyone - Search and Rescue, Coastguard, the police, the dog unit - is doing everything humanly possible," he said.

"I'm just hoping and praying that they find something, even if it's just her coat. She is deeply missed."

The officer in charge of Whangarei-based Police Search and Rescue, Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe, told the searchers at Taipa (a second, smaller team was based at Rangiputa), that every inch of the search area had to be covered over the next two days, "to the best of our ability."

"We will keep going until we've got it done," he added.

Meanwhile Detective Sergeant Trevor Beatson said police had been working closely with Ms Scott's family to identify avenues of inquiry, and acknowledged the distress her disappearance had caused for her partner, siblings and parents.

"They have been very patient, but as time moves on they are becoming more and more anxious," he said.

"We have continued with our inquiries into Leeann's disappearance, and committed significant resources to those inquiries, but are still looking for answers as to where she is and what has happened. Given the passage of time, with no contact or sightings since December 12, we obviously fear the worst for her.

"We have brought a larger team north, and have enlisted extra specialist assistance including the Auckland police dog section cadaver dogs. Our hope is to find Leeann and help the family and those who loved her bring some closure to their ordeal. Any information from the public, no matter how small or insignificant they may think it is, would be appreciated."

Information could be passed to the Kaitaia police on (09) 408-6500, or, anonymously, to Crimestoppers on 0800 555-111.

When last seen Ms Scott was wearing a bright orange Northface 'Summit' hooded rain jacket, black exercise-style pants and creamy/brown Nike walking shoes.