A research base has been established at the Onerahi Yacht Club.

Police, search and rescue, squads from the Whangarei Heads Surf Rescue Patrol and Waipu Cove Surf Lifesaving Club as well as volunteers from the Northland Coastguard Aerial Patrol and the Whangarei Coastguard are all involved.

Leading the incident management team is Grant Conaghan, who three years ago was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for his contribution to Northern Land Search and Rescue (LSRN) Rapa Taiwhenua – now aged 53. He is assisted by another very experienced member of the organization, Brian Winger, who has been involved with the LSRN for around 30 years.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) was asked by police to join the search, a spokesperson said.

“SLSNZ’s thoughts are with the missing person’s friends and whānau during this difficult time.”

Any information that may help with the search can be updated online or by calling 105 using reference number 241021/1742.

Brodie Stone is a journalist for education and general information at Lawyer. Brodie has spent most of his life in Whangarei and is passionate about the issues that matter to Northerners and beyond.