With vessels returning to shore following a search for the two occupants of plane that ditched in the ocean off Kawhia this afternoon, Waikato Police say their operation will resume again at first light.
Incident controller, Sergeant Warren Shaw of the Waikato Search and Rescue Squad said two helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft had been used to search for the pair as well as the Raglan Coastguard vessel.
"The search began about 12.20pm after a twin engined Beechcraft Baron aircraft ditched in the ocean near Gannet Island about 20km north west of the entrance to Kawhia Harbour.
"The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) tasked a helicopter from Auckland to search the last known position of the aircraft and this search identified an oil slick and wreckage near Gannet Island."
Mr Shaw said the Coastguard vessel arrived at the scene and began recovering debris but there was no sign of the aircraft's two occupants.
"The vessel returned to shore at last light and we will look to resume the operation tomorrow morning.
"Part of tomorrow's operation will involve the Wellington based Police Dive Squad conducting a search of the area where the debris was located."
Waikato Police will look to provide a further update to the media around 10am tomorrow morning.
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