A large deployment in the search for two fishermen missing off rocks east of Bluff in the South Island has been stood down for the night.
The alarm was raised by people nearby around 4.20pm, after the two men appeared to have been swept off rocks near Slope Point Rd.
Searchers called in include the rescue helicopters from Queenstown and Dunedin, rescue swimmers, Bluff Coastguard, Bluff Harbour pilot vessel the Takitimu, and Catlins water rescue teams, as well as three Southern region LandSAR groups.
The helicopters were stood down at nightfall, but land- and water-based search crews had continued in a limited capacity.
The full search will resume about 8.30 in the morning.
