Search for Nigel Peterson: 'We haven't found a body, so he has to still be moving'

The last three weeks have been "mental torture" for the family of missing man Nigel Peterson, according to his father.

His comments come as the Rotorua Land Search and Rescue Squad today resume their ground search for the 33-year-old autistic man.

Am "unconfirmed but credible" sighting on Sunday has sparked the search around the Rerewhakaaitu area.

Nigel's dad Chris Peterson said the family was hoping beyond hope for his safe return.

"He's out there on his own and he will definitely want to come back but he just doesn't know how to ask for help.

"We haven't found him, and we haven't found a body, so he has to still be moving."

Chris said his son was always a big fan of survival expert Bear Grylls and may have picked up some survival skills.

"We could never get him to eat vegetables and we would struggle with fruit but he would definitely eat bugs if he had to.

"He's got a real stoicism about him."

He said even hardened criminals who tried to stay missing for three weeks got caught.

"How can you walk out of town and just disappear off the face of the Earth?"

On the day Nigel was last seen - November 17, he had got wind that he was being temporarily moved from his flat because of a water cylinder issue.

Before caregivers were able to properly explain the situation, he got out of the car and walked off.

"The thing is, Nigel doesn't quite know how to deal with the things that he's had to face," Chris said.

"We won't be letting him go again, that's for sure."

The family have not stopped searching since the day and Chris said they feel better just being out there, "doing something".

"It's mentally exhausting, you just feel desperation, like mental torture."

He said Nigel's grandad simply "won't give up".

"The caregivers are putting in countless hours, they really did love him to bits."

Chris said the community response had been "phenomenal" and they deeply appreciated that, but their big request now was the public to come forward with any information.

Field Intelligence officer Colin Fraser, (left) with LAND SAR team leaders Tony Evanson and Tony Middlemiss. Photo/Ben Fraser

"It's gut wrenching to think, there have been lost opportunities where people may have seen something but they just let it lie.

"Even if you call them and it turns out there's nothing in it, the police are okay with that, please, just call the police."

Chris said the Search and Rescue team had been 100 per cent motivated.

He gave particular praise to Constable John Frederickson, who even on his day off took iceblocks out to the family searching.

Constable Colin Fraser, who leads the Rotorua Search and Rescue Squad, said Frederickson's work had been legendary.

"He's sort of owned this and carried it right through. He's personally involved with the family and for him it's gone beyond just being his job."

Fraser said the search this weekend would involve ground searches around Lake Rerewhakaaitu and the Bay Trust IRB doing a shoreline check.

"We're reviewing the search daily, and as it progresses our style of searching changes. But we don't stop looking for him, not ever.

"The weather we've had, the conditions, it's all quite survivable. You can't underestimate how resourceful he might be, so we will keep looking."

He urged people to come forward with even the smallest piece of information that may relate to the case.

"If they ring up and it turns out to be absolutely nothing, we won't care.

"If you're wondering, should I call the police, then you should."

Fraser said by December 2 the Rotorua Search and Rescue team had put 1328 hours into the search and that there had been 178 volunteers.

The search so far
• November 17, 3pm - Nigel was last seen at 3pm on Otonga Rd, heading towards Old Taupo Rd
• November 17, 4pm - Credible sighting of Nigel at the Hemo Gorge intersection.
• November 21 - Police began the door-to-door search of more than 1200 properties in the area
• November 24 - Police used heat seeking drones in the search for Nigel
• November 25-26 - A large weekend push saw police cover the area south of Rotorua towards Tumunui
• November 27 - Heli-resources loaned their helicopter to cover a large area around State Highway 5 and Highlands Loop Rd
• December 1 - Police spent 45 minutes giving out flyers to all cars travelling through Hemo Gorge
• December 3 - Potentially useful information was received from the area around Lake Rerewhakaaitu
• December 5 - Police temporarily suspended the ground search as they continued inquiries into credible sightings
• December 9-10 - Police and Land Search and Rescue will continue searching South of Tumunui on State Highway 5 and out towards Lake Rerewhakaaitu on State Highway 38

Nigel Peterson
• 33 years old
• Slim, medium height
• Wearing a green T-shirt, light brown pants, brown sneakers and possibly a denim jacket
• Often wrings his hands and could be talking to himself
• Walks with an unusual gait and leans to the side as he moves
• It is now likely that Nigel would have grown ginger facial hair

Any information can be given to Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on (0800 555 111).