Concerns grow as search for missing 83-year-old swimmer ramps up

A search for an 83-year-old missing in Whangārei Harbour since Saturday is ramping up.

Searchers are focussed on the area around Onerahi, where the man went swimming daily, and Waikaraka across to One Tree Point on the other side of the harbour.

A Coastguard boat and plane have been joined today by volunteers and the police Eagle helicopter, Detective Sergeant Paul Overton said.

Concern for the missing man is growing, he said.

Police said he usually wore a wetsuit and a pink swim cap, and had not been seen since Saturday evening. He was reported missing on Monday.

A large search was undertaken on Tuesday, involving Search and Rescue, the Coastguard and local surf lifesaving clubs.

LandSAR Far North plan to join the search on Wednesday.

In a statement on Tuesday, police said: "If you have seen anything, or have any information that could help our search, please update us online now or call 105.

"Please use the reference number 241021/1742."

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