Authorities have relaunched an intensive search off the Whangārei coast after a 17-foot single-engine fishing boat failed to return to Pataua South on Wednesday night, with two people on board.
Police, Coastguard crews, search-and-rescue volunteers and the Eagle helicopter scoured the area overnight but were unable to locate the small runabout before operations were paused around 4am.
The search effort is now back underway, and officials are urging anyone on the water in the Pataua Harbour or Ngunguru Bay areas to report any possible sightings of the missing vessel as concern grows for its occupants.
Update: Body recovered as search intensifies for second missing boatie in Northland
