Search draws blank after Iraena tip-off

Family members of Iraena Asher join in the police search of dense bush near Piha. Picture / Dean Purcell

A tip-off about missing woman Iraena Asher led police to dense bush on Auckland's west coast yesterday.

Police were acting on information passed on by Maori Television, which took an anonymous call on Monday.

Sergeant Dene Duthie would not reveal what the station was told but said the information was "very vague".

The search, involving 14 police search and rescue staff and a tracker dog, concentrated on bush between Karekare Rd and Piha, where Ms Asher was last seen more than seven weeks ago.

She had been with friends on October 10 but phoned police during the evening, saying she felt scared and was being pressured for sex.

Police sent a taxi, which never arrived at Piha, and Ms Asher was last seen around 2am walking on Marine Parade near the beachfront.

Mr Duthie said police were treating the new information with caution.

Searchers spent more than six hours going through thick bush before emerging with no fresh leads. They covered an area between the Horoeka Track, an 800m track running from Piha Rd to Karekare Rd, and the coastline.

Some members of Ms Asher's family joined the search yesterday.

Police found nothing of significance and will not go back unless they receive more information.

Mr Duthie said police wanted to speak directly to the caller.

"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.

A spokeswoman for Maori Television said the station had taken legal advice and would not reveal details of the call.

* Anyone with information should call the Henderson Police on 839-0600.