Police are urgently renewing their appeal for information to help confirm the safety and whereabouts of two people who entered the Ōtara River in Ōpōtiki early Sunday morning and have not yet been located.
Police have now confirmed the missing pair are an adult male and an adult female, correcting earlier reports that two men were involved.
Inspector Phil Gillbanks said the male may have made contact with associates and family members, but his welfare has not been independently confirmed.
Police remain focused on locating both people and ensuring they are safe.
The pair fled from a vehicle on foot on Snell Road, near the Ōtara River, shortly after 4.00am on Sunday, after earlier failing to stop for Police.
They later entered the river, prompting an extensive search operation involving Police specialist search teams, aerial and ground searches, dogs, New Zealand LandSAR partners and Coastguard Ōpōtiki.
The Police National Dive Squad is also travelling to Ōpōtiki to assist with the search.
Police are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have seen the pair after they entered the river, or anyone who may have provided them with transport, shelter or other assistance.
Police are also appealing directly to the two people to make contact and confirm they are safe.
Urgent information can be reported via 111, referencing job number P067829874.
Other information that may help locate the men can be reported via 105, referencing the same job number.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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