KEY POINTS:
An emergency flare sighting off the southern Manawatu coast sparked a six hour aerial and sea search overnight.
But searchers found nothing and with no reports of anyone missing the search was called off this morning.
A red flare sighting off Waitarere Beach, about 18km south of Foxton, was reported about 11.10pm yesterday.
Four police search and rescue officers were joined by two Coastguard vessels from Foxton, central police communications manager Kim Perks said.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopter with night vision equipment and the Philips Trust Search and Rescue fixed wing plane from Taupo with radar and infra-red gear also joined the search.
However, no one had been reported missing and there were no unattended boat trailers, Ms Perks said.
Without further information and having exhausted all possibilities the search was suspended about 5.45am today.
Ms Perks said police were not ruling out any possibilities.
The flare could have been someone fooling around or it could have been a real emergency.
"It's better to be safe than sorry," she said.
- NZPA
