The search for a missing fisherman near Whakatāne has stretched into a fifth day after several items of interest were found by police on Wednesday.
Police said reports of several items of interest were found on beaches in the area but after examination, they were able to discount them as not being relevant to the search.
Emergency services were advised of the missing man at 4pm on Sunday after he failed to return from a fishing trip, off the East Coast near Ōpōtiki, as expected.
The missing fisherman is Jason Kauta who went out fishing by boat from Tōrere at about 7am on Sunday but failed to return.
Search efforts on Wednesday were hampered by poor weather hitting the region, with police saying the search would continue at first light on Thursday.
"A Coastguard aircraft will conduct an aerial search of the coast from the northern end of Waihi Beach to the Motu River mouth," police said
"It will also cover the outlying islands, Motiti, Plate, Rurima and Whale. A ground search of the coastline by police search and rescue and LANDSAR (Land Search and Rescue New Zealand) personnel is planned for Friday."
Kauta's niece, Mia van den Broek posted an appeal on social media asking the public for help to find her missing uncle and his vessel.
She said Kauta was 170cm tall with a whānau name, Wharekino, written on his right arm on the inside of his tā moko.
His boat was a 3.5m "glass dingy boat" with the sides of the vessel coloured mustard orange while the top area is white, van den Broek said.
The search area stretches from Torere to Maketu and people are being asked to keep an eye out for certain items.
"Police continue to ask that members of the public who may be on the shoreline from Torere through to Maketu today to be vigilant and report any sighting of the following items of interest: a 100-litre white chilly bin, a red tote tank, wooden oars and a yellow life jacket."
The search for the missing fisherman has seen police, Coastguard, surf lifesaving, and air assets, including a plane and helicopter, all conducting an extensive marine and aerial search over the past three days.
Anyone who comes across any of the missing items is asked to contact police on 105 quoting file number 220418/0391.
