Police set to start search for student

Young Wook Ma's family know no reason for his vanishing.

Police are to begin searching on the North Shore today in the hunt for a Korean student missing for more than a week.

Young Wook Ma, also known as Jack, was last seen at his Glenfield home last Monday.

He did not appear upset or depressed and family and friends are at a loss to explain his sudden disappearance.

Today police will begin searching greenbelt areas around his home.

Copies of a special missing persons notice are also being circulated at the Newmarket campus of the Waikato Institute of Technology, where Mr Ma was studying for a National Certificate of Computing.

His tutors have described him as an outstanding student, due to finish the course at the end of this month.

Mr Ma bought a new pair of swimming togs the day before he vanished and it is hoped he has simply gone on holiday without telling anyone, though that would be out of character.

A trace of his cellphone established Mr Ma was in the Glenfield area last Monday and Tuesday.

Anyone with information can contact Browns Bay police on (09) 353-0410.


YOUNG WOOK MA

Last seen: At his family home in Glenfield on Monday June 12.

Dressed in: Hooded grey zip-up sweatshirt, black skater shoes with white stripes.

Description: 23-year-old Korean student. Wears glasses, short dark hair. Without money, and cellphone no longer active.