Search for missing hunter scaled back

A search for a missing hunter in the Tasman District has been scaled back to focus on a stretch of the Wanganui River.

Corey Aaron Stephens failed to returned from a week long hunting trip from which he was due out last Friday.

Searchers were today focussing on the lower stretches of Wanganui River, south of Hokitika, police said.

The search effort to date has not found any sign of Mr Stephens except for two personal items in the river, including a distinctive hat.

Several land search and rescue teams have scoured the valley and a swift water rescue team had also been deployed on the main Wanganui River, police said.

Mr Stephens had hired a personal locator beacon which had not been activated.

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