KEY POINTS:
The search for a Polish tramper missing in Rimutaka Forest Park is being scaled up before the weather deteriorates at the weekend.
Jacek Gryzbowski, 28, was last seen around 9am on Saturday by residents in Sunny Grove, Wainuiomata, seeking directions for the start of the Whakanui Track which runs from the street into the park.
Police believe he could still be alive even though he was only equipped for a day tramp. Family members are expected to arrive from Poland at the weekend.
Inspector Mike Wright said searchers from outside the Wellington region had been brought in today to reinforce the search.
An Air Force Iroquois helicopter will again be used to drop ground search teams into remote areas and to undertake aerial searches.
He said the 38 field searchers included police and volunteers from the Wellington, Wairarapa, Palmerston North, Horowhenua and Tararua Land SAR organisation.
"It's a big logistical operation with an intensive search effort to find Jacek," Mr Wright said.
The Salvation Army is helping with catering and the Hutt Valley Emergency Management office is providing equipment and personnel.
"If he's hunkered down under bush and fern cover and keeping warm then it is survivable," Mr Wright said.
It was believed Mr Gryzbowski hoped to tramp to Mt Matthews and back. The demanding tramp was unlikely to have been achieved in one day.
Police were still appealing to trampers, hunters and other bush users who were in the park over the weekend to contact police if they saw Mr Gryzbowski.
He was described as 180cm tall, with brown/blond hair and of medium build.
He arrived in Wellington in February on a working holiday and has spent most weekends exploring bush and coastal tracks in the Wellington region.
In 2005 a Wellington woman went missing in the park and was never found.
- NZPA
