Police concerned for man missing in rugged bush

Police have grave concerns for a 47-year-old man believed to have been missing in rugged country north of Wanganui since Sunday.

Palmerston North man Brett Hall was last seen at his lifestyle block off River Road, north of Parakino, by a builder working on Mr Hall's house on Sunday morning, police spokeswoman Kim Perks said.

He was reported missing to police on Tuesday night by a friend.

A search and rescue operation was launched on Wednesday morning, involving five teams of police and volunteers from Wanganui and Palmerston North Land Search and Rescue, a police dog and Hill Country Helicopters.

A caravan on the lifestyle block had been found unlocked along with Mr Hall's vehicle and quad bike.

Search co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Darcy Forrester said the fact that his vehicle was there and the property was not secure led him to believe Mr Hall was in the area.

"If that isn't the case, and a friend or associate has collected him and he is safe and well somewhere we need to know. He had not indicated to anyone he was going hunting and there has been no communication with his family which is out of character."

The area of land was about 16 square kilometres.

"It is an extremely difficult search as the terrain is unforgiving with steep bluffs and thick bush and we have no indication of where he may have gone after he was last seen on Sunday morning," Mr Forrester said.

Mr Hall was described as Caucasian, about 182cm tall and medium build. It was not known what he was wearing when he went missing.

Rescue teams will continue the search tomorrow morning.

- NZPA