KEY POINTS:
Search and rescue teams in Northland were stretched today, with two large-scale operations mounted at first light.
Rescuers have since found a boat missing near Mangonui, however hopes are fading for a 19-year-old tourist, who disappeared while swimming in Paihia yesterday.
Aerial, sea and land search teams resumed the hunt for him today, including a shoreline search in case his body was washed ashore overnight.
The man and a 20-year-old companion swam from Paihia to nearby Motumaire Island about 3pm yesterday.
On their return swim to Paihia the 19-year-old slipped under the water and has not been seen since.
His companion swam to a nearby boat, took a lifebuoy and started looking for his associate, and was picked up by a passing ferry in a state of exhaustion.
The search for the missing man was called off when darkness fell last night.
Local iwi have placed a rahui on the area which means swimming and the gathering of shellfish in the Paihia area is prohibited until the body of the missing swimmer is located.
- NZPA
