New Zealand Police are trying to locate Mark THOMAS, a 28 year old British citizen, who has been reported missing by his parents in England. He was reported missing in late September 2004 after his parents had not heard from him for 4 months as he was backpacking.
THOMAS left England in April 2004 to commence a 2-year round the world tour. His parents last heard from him in May 2004 when he was cutting short a holiday in Thailand to attend a job interview in New Zealand.
Police enquiries have established that he attended the job interview on the 18th May 2004 and was offered a position as a ski board technician at Treble Cone Ski field. He did not return the job contract documentation and they did not hear from him again.
The last confirmed sighting of THOMAS was at the Purplecow Backpackers, Wanaka on 18 May 2004.
He had previously sent an email to a friend whom he was meant to meet on 21 May 2004 in Queenstown. In the email he mentioned he had moved out of the backpackers, as he had found a hut in the mountains he could use free of charge. He did not keep this appointment.
Police enquiries have also established:
* He arrived in NZ on 15 May 2004;
* Stayed at Charlie B Backpackers Hostel in Christchurch that night;
* Stayed at the Purplecow Hostel in Wanaka from 16 to 18 May 2004;
* His bank accounts have not been used since May 2004;
* He has not left New Zealand;
* The bulk of his personal effects were located in storage at the hostel;
* He had purchased a discount card for use at Backpackers hostel type accommodation;
* It appears he has in his possession a small day pack, digital camera, small camping stove, vegetable knife and personal documents including his passport and wallet, and
* Checks by the Dept of Conservation of their hut logs of Mt Aspiring National Park have not found any entries for THOMAS.
DOC and Wanaka Police advise that there are a number of musterer’s huts and other shelters in and around the National Park, which may fit THOMAS’ email description of a free hut.
Due to the time elapsed since his last sighting and no firm indication as to the location of the hut, or his intentions on that day, a ground search is not feasible. Wanaka Police and Search and Rescue will obviously keep THOMAS in mind when conducting exercises in the near future.
At this stage Police cannot discount the possibility that THOMAS may have left the area of his own accord.
THOMAS is described as a 28yr old male caucasian.
He calls himself "Tom".
He is approximately 178cm (5’10) tall, of medium build with grey/brown hair. He has brown eyes no facial hair and wears a size 10 shoe.
He is a practising Buddhist and has a degree in environmental engineering. He intended teaching meditation and working where he could to fund his trip.
Police are appealing for any information relating to THOMAS, his travel intentions or whereabouts.
Anyone with information can contact either their local Police or:
New Zealand Police Missing Persons Unit
Ph: 04 474 9499