Let the light bring him back, family pray

Srikanth Rayadurgam. Photo / Supplied

He was training to be a chef and wanted to cook a feast for family and friends for his first Diwali celebrations in New Zealand this weekend.

Now, all his family are praying for is to know what happened to 23-year-old Srikanth Rayadurgam, who has been missing for more than two weeks.

"This is supposed to be our biggest Diwali celebrations because it is Srikanth's first since he came here," said brother-in-law Nagesh Kakanoor. "We are praying for a miracle, and that the light will bring him back to us."

The Hindu festival on Saturday celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, but Mr Kakanoor said celebrations had been put on hold as they search for Mr Rayadurgam, an Auckland University of Technology hospitality student who has not been seen since October 1.

This morning, police will also resume their search, combing beaches and shoreline west of the Harbour Bridge - near where his wallet was found - to Pt Chevalier.

From about 8pm, they will also canvass the K Rd area, where his mobile phone was used the night he vanished.

Since he arrived in February on a student permit, Mr Rayadurgam, who Mr Kakanoor said was "cheerful, caring and polite", had been staying with his sister Padma Priya and her family in Mt Albert.

"It is completely out of character him going anywhere without telling the family, because he would even ask me if it's all right to go across the road to meet friends."

On Tuesday, Mr Kakanoor found a scarf and a Pizza Hut Glenfield nametag belonging to Mr Rayadurgam washed up on the rocks near Westhaven Marina, adding to his belief that there was "foul play". The student's wallet, with money missing, and other personal items were found near the marina on October 2.

"We are finding bits and pieces of items scattered all over the place," Mr Kakanoor said. "I believe he was running away from someone."