Police are appealing for information about a surfer last seen a distance offshore Saturday night at Papamoa Beach, Bay of Plenty.
The surfer was seen at 5pm heading out for a surf and later at 8pm was noticed a distance offshore by a member of the public who alerted police.
The area where the surfer was last seen was searched by helicopters and coast guard vessels last night and a shoreline search is underway today.
Police are seeking information from anyone who may know or have seen the surfer in case the person returned to shore safely.