Search called-off for Harbour Bridge runner

The Auckland Harbour Bridge. Photo / Supplied

Police have called off a full-scale search for a man last seen in the water beneath the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Police received a number of calls after the man was seen running on the northbound lanes of the bridge shortly before 1am yesterday.

The man was spotted in the water by the police Eagle helicopter a short time later, but then disappeared from view.

The police launch was called in to sweep the area but was unable to find the man.

Sergeant Craig Kennedy of the police maritime unit said the man had not been found by this morning and the search effort had been scaled back.

"We won't be doing a full-scale search, but we'll be monitoring and doing intermittent searches at the harbour," he told APNZ.

Mr Kennedy said there was a lot of boat traffic in the harbour at this time of year.

"If he's found floating he'll be brought too our attention pretty smartly, I'd think."

The man's identity was still unconfirmed.

Members of the public who saw the man on the bridge gave two different descriptions.

One was of a slightly-built European in his late teens, with dark hair of average length, wearing light pants and a shirt.

The other description was of 25- to 30-year-old man in a blue dress shirt and pants.

Police have asked for anyone with information about the missing man to get in touch.