As stated by Inspector Phil Gillbanks:
Police are continuing to search for missing 52-year-old man Billyjoe Pereniki.
Billyjoe was reported missing from his home address in Opape Beach Road, Ōpōtiki on Monday 7 September having last been seen on the afternoon of Sunday 30 August.
Billyjoe is described as comfortable in the bush and is well known in the local area, however, the length of time that he has been away and not in contact with family is now considered unusual.
Police investigators have been following information from the public and as yet have not been able to locate Billyjoe through those enquiries.
Police Search and Rescue staff and NZ Land, Search and Rescue volunteers accompanied by a Police Search and Rescue Dog Team have thoroughly searched the area surrounding his home address. Surf Lifesaving volunteers in an IRB have searched the adjacent coastline.
Search activities will continue over the weekend.
Police continue to ask locals and the wider community to keep an eye out for Billyjoe.
Anyone with any information as to his possible whereabouts should contact police immediately.
Please reference file number 260907/0793.
