The wreckage of a helicopter has been found in deep terrain near Turangi.
The Robinson R66 went missing at about 1pm on Saturday.
The pilot is believed to have been the only person on board.
The Rescue Co-ordination Centre says the wreckage was found about 37 kilometres southeast of Turangi at about 7pm.
The pilot has not yet been found and a police search and rescue operation will start on Sunday morning to retrieve the wreckage and search for the pilot.
