NATIONAL NEWS:- Kayaker missing off Auckland’s Great Barrier Island

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A kayaker has been missing overnight off Great Barrier Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf.

Police received a report at 8.55 pm on Monday saying a kayaker had not returned when they were expected, a police spokeswoman said.

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A spokesman for the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust said crews had been tasked by Maritime police to assist with a search and rescue operation near Great Barrier Island.

“We found a potential kayak on the rocks, but no sign of the actual kayaker.”

A spokeswoman for Coastguard said an aerial search had been undertaken by police and the rescue helicopter overnight but was stood down in the early hours of the morning when the kayaker wasn’t found.

“Coastguard Volunteers were paged and assembled at the Marine Rescue Centre for a briefing this morning before departing for Great Barrier Island.

“There are six Coastguard Volunteers on-board the rescue vessel which also transported Police SAR Personnel and a search dog to the Island.”

The Police Eagle helicopter was also involved in the search, which resumed this morning at first light.

Source: Stuff

Featured Image: The kayaker did not return when they were expected to on Monday night (file photo).

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