A search is underway around the bottom of the South Island for an overdue yacht with three people onboard.
There has been no contact with the yacht Munetra since it set sail from Bluff on 16 April.
The boat was expected back in Bluff four days ago.
Inspector Lane Todd says police were contacted two days ago when the skipper didn't show up for work.
"Since that time we've conducted a fixed wing search along the shore line where the intended route of the vessel was going, and then today we've carried out a further slower search along the shoreline using two helicopters."
Inspector Todd says the skipper is a 33-year-old German who has lived in Southland for several years, but they are still trying to confirm the identities of the two women believed to be travelling with him.
