Families of the 29 victims of last year's Pike River mine disaster will seek answers on how their loved ones died when the Royal Commission into one of the country's worst disasters opens in Greymouth tomorrow.

Up to 80 personnel are searching rough country for missing man Brett Hall.

The mother and son of a missing Palmerston North man have made an emotional plea for information on his whereabouts amid rising suspicion his disappearance is the result of a homicide.

Searchers have begun their sixth day of looking for Palmerston North man Brett Hall who has not been seen for more than a week.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion found a fishing boat with engine failure before it drifted onto reefs near Tonga overnight.

An injured 30-year-old tramper has been flown to Nelson hospital after her husband tramped out of the Kahurangi National Park to get help.