17 Jun 2012

Search underway for missing tramper

8:15 pm on 17 June 2012

A search and rescue is underway for a missing tramper, who didn't return home from his walk in the Hunua ranges near Auckland.

Police and volunteer search teams spent Sunday in the bush, looking for the man who was reported missing at 11.30pm on Saturday.

Two teams planned to stay in the bush overnight on Sunday with the temperature predicted to drop to -3 degrees.

RNZAF Iroquois helicopters were also going to continue searching using night-vision equipment on Sunday night.

The helicopters will be used to transport Waikato search and rescue teams who will join the search on Monday.

Police search co-ordinator Sergeant Dene Duthie says the 36-year-old man, who is a stocky Asian or Polynesian, was wearing a black jacket, three-quarter length shorts and was carrying a day pack.

He's calling for people who were in the ranges on Saturday, especially in the Mangatawhiri and Waharau areas, to contact police.