The following statement may be attributed to Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen:
Police have reached the end of the fifth day searching for two missing men in Tongariro National Park.
They were last seen on Saturday 12 August, 2017.
While tough conditions were endured, searching between Tree Trunk Road and the Pillars of Hercules, no further evidence of their whereabouts has been found today.
At the Taupo Police Station search base, all the information gathered so far is being evaluated.
By assessing the areas covered up until now, Police and LandSAR are working to re-task search efforts for tomorrow.
The Police National Dive Squad are expected to join the sixth day of the search.
The dive squad will search streams and creeks within the area.
In a meeting in Turangi this afternoon, the latest information was shared with whanau who continue to receive support.
Police would like to acknowledge the exceptional assistance provided by representative members of Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
They have supported searchers and the mens’ families throughout this distressing time.
ENDS
Police Media Centre