Search for missing helicopter resumes

The private search for businessman Michael Erceg resumed today with the focus moving to the central North Island.

Mr Erceg, the founder of Independent Distillers Group, has been missing for more than a week after the helicopter he was piloting disappeared.

Also on board the aircraft on a flight from Auckland to Queenstown eight days ago was his Dutch passenger, beer company executive Guus Klatte.

The area searchers were targeting today was north of the township of Ohura and covered about 80km by 25km, John Funnell, an experienced rescue helicopter pilot helping with the operation, said.

About nine helicopters were involved and would be flying over heavy bush.

Mr Funnell described the conditions as ideal, with clear skies and no wind.

Until yesterday, searchers had focused on specific parts of Taranaki.

Mr Funnell said the move further inland was based on reports from member of the public.

"We are systematically covering areas of interest, particularly where there is some intelligence that has been gathered."

He did not want to give details of what information had been received, "because we have to be careful we don't sow seeds in people's minds".

Mr Funnell said the search team was appreciative of the help they had been getting from the public.

Searchers were hoping to get as much information as possible about helicopter activity from Raglan down the coast to Wanganui and inland as far as Taupo on the day that Mr Erceg was flying.

- NZPA