Police are concerned for the safety of a Polish visitor who failed to return on Saturday from a day tramp in the Wellington area.
The missing tramper is Jacek Grzybowski, a 28 year old computer software engineer who has been working with some Polish colleagues for a company in Wellington for the last few months.
Mr Grzybowski is fluent in English, is 180cm tall, with brown/blond hair and of medium build. He is fit and healthy, and spends most of his weekends exploring different bush or coastal tracks in the region.
Mr Grzybowski left his central city apartment on Saturday morning, intending to go for a day walk to either the Belmont Regional Park or into the Rimutaka Forest Park (Orongorongo Valley). His flatmates did not see him leave and it's not known what clothing or equipment he took with him apart from a dark green and black gortex jacket and a small black backpack.
He didn't return home on Saturday night as expected and his flatmates, who are also Polish, became increasingly worried. They weren't too sure what to do and told their employer today who contacted police.
Police are appealing for public help in sightings of Mr Grzybowski. He doesn't have access to a car or bike so would have had to hitchhike, or use public transport to get to his intended walking track.
It's difficult for police to start a physical search when officers just don't know where Mr Grzybowski intended to go. The Belmont Regional Park is more accessible to public transport than perhaps the Rimutaka Forest Park.
Search and Rescue staff are making background inquiries to see if Mr Gryzbowski had bought any maps. If anyone has seen a man matching Mr Grzybowski's description, please contact Wellington Police on 04 381 2000 and ask for the duty senior sergeant in the watchhouse.
Released by:
Kaye Calder
Wellington Police District communications manager
tel 04 496 3464