Tracks reopened as search called off

The entire area around the Mauao base track has been been closed by police. Police search the rocks Photo by John Borren

Tracks at Mount Maunganui have been re-opened as police wind down a search operation for two missing people, including five-year-old Jack Dixon.

Police completed their operation at Mauao about 11.30am after searching since first light for any sign of either missing person.

Jack has not been seen since a rogue wave swept him away from his family at Mauao's Shelly Beach on October 1. Last night Jack's parents released a moving statement appealling for people not to give up looking for their ''precious boy''.

Mount Maunganui man Stephen Michael Tracey, 37, has also disappeared without a trace. He was last seen by family on September 27.

Dogs and searchers scoured the base track for any sign of either person but with little success. Dogs could be seen weaving in and out of rocks at the right side of the base track's main entrance, next to the Mount Maunganui Surf Club.

Western Bay of Plenty police Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair said police had received various reports over the past week of some sort of unusual odour at Mauao.

"It's farm land area but obviously we needed to discount the fact that it was either of the two missing people from this area."

Mr Wright-St Clair said police were unable to locate the source of the odour but were satisfied they had completed a thorough search of the area and "it's nothing untoward".

"The search for young Jack is suspended but we will actively work on any information we receive."

Earlier this morning police asked people to stay away from from area until at least midday, when they expected to re-open the popular walking tracks.

A reporter at the scene said many walkers had arrived at the closed track, stopping at the cordon before walking around it only to be turned back by security further up the path.

Police apologised for any inconvenience.