KEY POINTS:
The family of a Feilding shearer, missing for a year and presumed dead, is appealing for information from the public leading to his whereabouts.
Bevan Wright, 43, disappeared from his sister's home in Feilding, in Manawatu, on January 9.
Mr Wright's mother, Gwen Power, told the Dominion Post she felt empty not knowing what happened to her son.
She wants closure and the body of her son to be found.
Police believed his disappearance was suspicious, with the search being sparked by a tip-off from the public.
Investigating officer Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann said in March, police and search and rescue staff combed the riverbank area near the Aorangi Bridge in Feilding.
Ms Power said she lit a candle every night since Mr Wright disappeared, hoping he would walk through the door.
She still called his cellphone hoping he would answer and had sent a text message telling him of her new granddaughter.
She said there would be closure "if we had a body".
"We could maybe put this to rest and come to grips with it."
Mr Wright's disappearance was out of character as he kept in touch with family and would never miss a day at work, Ms Power said.
There had been no funeral or memorial service as there was no body, she said.
Mr Bensemann said the investigation into Mr Wright's disappearance was continuing.
"Someone out there holds the key that will help the family in knowing what happened to him and where he is."
Originally from Pahiatua, in the northern Wairarapa, Mr Wright, father of two, was working as a shearer and had previously worked on commercial fishing boats.
- NZPA
