Missing Kaikōura child Jackson found ‘safe and well’

A Kaikōura boy who went missing after leaving to go fishing has been found “safe and well”, police have confirmed.

The mother of the missing boy had previously expressed the family’s growing concern after her son hadn’t been seen since yesterday.

A district-wide search for 11-year-old Jackson was under way, police confirmed this morning, and an appeal to the public was made to come forward with any sightings or information.

Jackson was last seen on Beach Rd around 1.30pm yesterday, police said.

He was wearing a green camouflage fleece, short sleeve T-shirt, and purple knee-length shorts.

Jackon was last seen on Beach Rd around 1.30pm on Sunday, a police spokesperson said.

Jackson’s mother, Juanita, told NZME this morning that her son had “never done this before” and that disappearing was “not something he would do.

“He has no food, no shoes etc. We are all so worried,” the concerned mum said.

“He’s a very smart child when it comes to the outdoors. It’s very scary because he hasn’t done anything like this ever. Me and his dad are extremely worried.”