KEY POINTS:
Rscue teams resumed their search this morning for a powered glider which went missing with two people on board during a competition in the lower South Island yesterday.
A spokesman for the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) said four planes and a helicopter took to the skies at first light to search for the glider which was last heard from at about 5.30pm yesterday four hours after taking off from Omarama.
The glider was reported overdue by race organisers at about 8.30pm.
The glider's flight path would have covered the Twizel, Lake Pukaki and Lindis Pass areas, the spokesman said.
RCCNZ launched a communications search yesterday, focusing on the area's numerous airstrips.
They also sent a fixed-wing aircraft into the area to try and make contact with the glider or detect any signal from a distress beacon.
The glider was carrying an emergency beacon but no signal has so far been detected.
RCCNZ mission coordinator Keith Allen said today although concern was growing search conditions were good this morning.
"There's a fair amount of wind but good clear visibility.
"We are getting some great help from the gliding community and have got some very experienced searchers up looking so we are doing all we can to find these people."
The South Island Regional Gilding Championships were being held in the area this week, but it was not known whether the gilder was involved in the events.
Police communications acting shift manager Trevor Cross said police had notified next-of-kin of the missing pair but would give no more details.
- NZPA
