Statement attributable to Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen
The search for two men missing in Tongariro National Park entered day ten today.
Since the pair went missing on Saturday 12 August the Police co-ordinated search has included specialist search teams, hundreds of volunteers, the Police dive squad and a Police dog trained in search and rescue techniques.
All search activity to date has been unsuccessful in finding the pair.
Today a karakia led by Ngāti Tūwharetoa was held at the search site and a rāhui was placed on the area. Family of the missing men were also in attendance.
The rāhui is being placed on the area between Mangamate Stream to the north, Makahikatoa Stream to the south, the Desert Road to the west and Tongariro River to the east.
Signs will be erected informing the public. Rāhui is a cultural protocol that restricts the site from any common use and or activity, it is also an acknowledgement of the significance of what has occurred on the site and it protects the site from disturbance.
In this instance the practice of rāhui will serve three functions; the first is to acknowledge and honour the significance of the event and the affected families. Secondly the rāhui will ensure the physical, cultural and spiritual safety of the community and thirdly it will ensure the physical, cultural and spiritual safety of the rāhui area.
The rāhui will not hamper the continuation of search efforts and will stay in place until Ngati Tūwharetoa deem it appropriate for the rāhui to be lifted.
The search for the two men is now entering a new phase. All information gathered through the search will be re-assessed and this will guide the way forward for the search.
Police are in close contact with the whanau of the two men and remain determined to bring these men home.
Throughout the search the ongoing support from Ngāti Tūwharetoa has been invaluable and is greatly appreciated.
Police Iwi Liaison Officers are continuing to support the families.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
