The search for Alex Fisher will resume in the Waitarere Forest near Levin around 8.30am this morning.
25 NZDF personnel from RNZAF Base Ohakea and the Linton Military Camp will join Police staff and LandSAR volunteers today, with a total of around 65 searchers plus support staff involved.
They will focus on areas in the south of the forest which were not covered in yesterday's search, plus a detailed examination of some areas which have already been looked at.
Enquiries will also continue today with households in Waitarere as Police seek any sightings of Alex and his brother Eric. Around 300 properties were visited yesterday, with further door-to-door checks ongoing today.
Police searched one property in Waitarere yesterday following reports of a break in. Investigations are still ongoing to establish if there is any connection with the disappearance of Alex.
Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Sarah Stewart says the public's help is still vital to successfully locating Alex:
“The search of that property yesterday highlights how important it is for everyone in the Waitarere area to report anything suspicious or unusual to Police,” said Ms Stewart.
“If you haven't yet checked your property - particularly sheds, garages and outbuildings - please do so as soon as you can.
"We again ask anyone in the Waitarere area to look at the picture of Alex and his brother Eric taken at the Waitarere Four Square on Monday around 6.15pm.
"If you think you saw either of them that day or in the evening please contact us.
"We are now into the third day of our search for Alex and our concerns for him only increase by the hour.
"We remain extremely grateful for all the support we've received from the Waitarere community and the efforts of the volunteers who are helping us." said Ms Stewart.
Anyone with information can contact Police directly, or provide information anonymously through the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Media note: Inspector Stewart will provide a further update to media outside the Waitarere fire station at 10am this morning.