Kayaker missing for 11 days

Police have released the name of an elderly Bay of Plenty kayaker who has been missing for 11 days.

Marquis John Reed Jeffery, 71, of Ohope was last seen on June 29 when he went fishing in his kayak at Ohiwa Harbour.

Whakatane senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins said a large scale air and land search yesterday failed to find either Mr Jeffery or his 3.6 metre orange plastic kayak.

Mr Jeffery's black Toyota sedan was found near the Ohiwa Harbour boat ramp on Monday.

"All indications are that Mr Jeffery went kayaking last Tuesday and has not been seen or heard of since", Mr Jenkins said.

Around 45 people on foot and in small boats searched the coastline near the harbour this week.

A helicopter was also used to search the sea area.

Finding the missing kayak or paddle was a priority for police to narrow down the search area, Mr Jenkins said.

The sit-on plastic kayak may have a possibly a black canvass soft seat attached with the words 'Viking kayak' written on it.

The paddle has a black aluminum shaft with white blades.

Mr Jenkins said police want to assure anyone that may have found the kayak or paddle that the priority is to recover these items, rather than taking any further action against them in this regard.

- © Fairfax NZ News