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Police say concerns continue to grow for a Northland eye doctor who disappeared in Whangarei Harbour yesterday.
Geoffrey Martin Wallace has not been seen since leaving a marina at One Tree Point, on the south shores of the harbour, in a 2.6m aluminium dinghy about 5pm yesterday.
Dr Wallace, 46, was travelling towards his home in Parua Bay, on the other side of the harbour. He was expected home by 7pm but his family called police when he had not returned by 8pm.
Police and rescuers began searching the harbour today when it was known he had taken the dinghy.
The dinghy was found at Home Point on the northern side of the harbour entrance earlier today without its motor.
Northland police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said police, coastguard, search and rescue volunteers and a helicopter had today been searching the harbour and beaches on the northern side.
"We have concerns for his safety, but we don't want to speculate on what might have happened to him," Ms Kennett said.
- NZPA