Search for missing man suspended

The search for a 72-year-old man missing off the south Wairarapa coast has been suspended.

Tupara Kiel of Martinborough went missing while setting a crayfish pot in choppy seas near Te Awaiti on Thursday.

Mr Kiel left from Sandy Bay about 11am in an inflatable boat. His vehicle and trailer were found at 7.15pm on Thursday and were reported to police around 8.30pm

Maritime New Zealand said the decision to formally suspend the search had been made after a detailed review.

The decision would be reviewed should any new information come to light.

Mr Kiel's family had been informed of the decision.

Since Friday, the Rescue Coordination Centre managed a search involving a RNZAF P3 Orion, helicopters, fishing boats and the police dive squad, who undertook a series of dives in the Sandy Bay area throughout Saturday.