Police searching for a missing Gisborne boy want to speak to kayakers seen on the Waimata River about the time the four-year-old disappeared.
Lucas Ward went missing from his grandmother's home in Graham Road in the northern suburb of Kaiti about 3pm on Tuesday.
Gisborne area commander Sam Aberahama says a resident has told police she saw two male kayakers on the river near where the boy disappeared.
On Friday, police revealed the boy's grandmother found his bike at the top of a pathway leading down to a river jetty and saw a chip packet in the river she believes was the same as one she had given to Lucas before he went missing.
Inspector Aberahama says police have only now disclosed the grandmother's find because they wanted people to report all sightings of the boy - not just those near the river.
Mr Aberahama says police are keeping an open mind about where Lucas Ward may have wandered off to and the river is only one option they are looking at.
Police are treating the disappearance as a missing person inquiry, but say they cannot rule out foul play. The search will continue over the weekend.
Lucas Ward is described as Pakeha, with blonde hair and, when last seen, was barefoot and wearing a light blue sweatshirt and dark-coloured trackpants.
