No sign of missing fisherman

Sea and air searches for a fisherman missing south of Auckland have failed to find any sign of the man.

Constable John Saunders, from the police maritime unit in Auckland, said three Polynesian friends went looking for flounder on mud flats at Kawakawa Bay at the top of the Firth of Thames with spear guns and lights last night.

One man was uncomfortable about being in the water and tried to persuade his friends to turn back with him.

"There was an incoming tide and he wasn't that keen on the water swirling around his legs.

"He couldn't convince the other two to turn back. They decided to press on. They failed to return to their vehicle."

Mr Saunders said the third man did not raise the alarm but about 4.50am residents heard cries for help and called police.

However, one man had already drowned and the search continued today for the second, who was also presumed drowned.

The Westpac rescue helicopter, coastguard boats and land searchers found one body earlier today but air and sea searches had failed to find any sign of the second man.

Police divers from Wellington were expected to start searching mid-afternoon, and it was possible another aerial search would be carried out, he said.

Details of the men had not been released.

- NZPA