Missing kayaker's sons return to NZ

John Jeffery, 71, is feared dead. Photo / Supplied

The 71-year-old Bay of Plenty man feared dead after going kayaking 10 days ago has been named as Marquis John Reed Jeffery.

Three of his sons returned from overseas this week to be with their family and in the hope of finding out more about their father's disappearance.

Police say the Ohope man, more commonly known as John, was last seen late last month, when he is believed to have gone kayaking in Ohope's Ohiwa Harbour.

Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins said 45 searchers and two helicopter sweeps of the harbour had failed to find Mr Jeffery.

His black Toyota Windom sedan was found on Monday afternoon in a car park at the end of Harbour Rd, Port Ohope.

"All indications are that Mr Jeffery went kayaking on the Ohiwa Harbour on or about Tuesday last week," Mr Jenkins said.

Police are asking anyone who saw Mr Jeffery or his kayak, described as being an orange plastic moulded sit-on kayak, to contact the Whakatane station.

Mr Jenkins said the kayak might have had a black canvas soft seat attached with the words "Viking kayak" on it.

- NZPA