Mystery over missing boatie on sex charges

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Cook Islands police say they are looking for answers to two big questions surrounding an Auckland man believed to be facing sex-related charges in New Zealand who is missing from a yacht in the islands.

Inspector John Strickland of the Cook Islands police is investigating the man's disappearance two weeks ago, after a mayday call was made from a yacht later found floating empty 20 kilometres off the shore of Rarotonga.

Strickland said: "The biggest question here is, one: is he presumed dead? And two: was there anybody else on board the yacht?"

Police are also following up possible sightings of the man after his disappearance on January 3.

The man is believed to be an Auckland businessman facing 26 sex charges, including rape and unlawful sexual conduct.

He is due to appear in Auckland District Court next month and has name suppression.

"We are checking around here on Rarotonga for the possibility he might have been sighted around," Strickland said.

"There was a report of him being seen around here in Rarotonga on the fifth but we are checking that out to make sure the information is clear.

"So far to date it doesn't seem to be true that he was actually here after what happened on the third."

Strickland said if the man was found he would be extradited back to New Zealand to face charges in court.

"Definitely New Zealand would like to have him back for sure. If he is here in the Cook Islands it's for sure he'll be extradited. We'll work closely with New Zealand police on this."

Strickland said the investigation was proceeding as a joint effort between Cook Islands and New Zealand police.

The man made distress calls complaining of heart problems to Cook Island authorities on January 3.

A Cook Islands patrol boat went to the rescue, but in a scene reminiscent of the Mary Celeste, found the yacht floating unmanned 20 nautical miles off the coast of Rarotonga.

The man was leaving Rarotonga when he disappeared.

He had entered the country on December 31, and he had also made distress calls about heart problems on the way in.

When he got into the country he claimed to have lost his passport and documents overboard, but was allowed through customs into the country for urgent medical care.

Tests confirmed he was having a problem with his heart and he was told to stay on the island.

He refused and went back to his yacht. He returned to the island the next day to collect medicine, then left on January 2.

- © Fairfax NZ News