Whangārei Harbour.
Photo: Kennedy Warne

Police are scaling back their search for an elderly man who went missing in Northland at the weekend.

The 83-year-old has not been seen since Saturday evening. It was believed he went swimming on Sunday morning in Whangārei Harbour.

The search had been focused on the area around Onerahi and Waikaraka across to One Tree Point on the other side of the harbour.

Detective sergeant Paul Overton on Thursday said a two-week rāhui had been placed covering the Upper Whangārei Harbour.

“We are continuing to appeal to the public, and in particular to motorists who were in the Beach Road area in Onerahi on the morning of Sunday 20 October, between 8am-11am,” he said.

“If you have any dashcam footage or information that may assist, please update us at 105 online or call 105 referencing file number 241021/1742.”

Earlier this week, police said the man usually wore a wetsuit and a pink swim cap.

Police thanked the Onerahi Yacht Club, Northland and Far North Search and Rescue and the Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club for their help.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.