Police search bush after anonymous tip-off about Asher

Police were today searching bush area between Karekare and Piha south of Auckland after receiving an anonymous tip-off about missing Auckland woman Iraena Asher.

Police were checking the accuracy and reliability of the information which came from an unnamed caller to a media organisation, search and rescue sergeant Dene Duthie said.

The informant should have gone directly to police so more information could have been collected to assist with the search, he said.

"It would be disappointing if the information is not factual as a large amount of police resources are being used as a result of the call," Mr Duthie said in a statement.

The 25-year-old university student and part-time model was last seen about 2am on October 11 wandering down a Piha street in her underwear.

Miss Asher suffered from bipolar disorder but was not thought to have taken her medicine before she disappeared.

She had been at a Piha house for most of the previous day but called the 111 emergency line about 9pm and told police she was scared, being pressured for sex and needed help.

Police ordered a taxi but it went to an Auckland address instead of Piha.

Police searches failed to find any trace of her and locals believe she may have been caught in the strong Piha rip and swept out to sea.

- NZPA