The sighting of a man near Fantail Falls at the base of the Brewster Track, Makarora, has sparked a police search.
Wanaka police say concerns are held for the man as the weather and rising river levels have made any river crossings in the local rivers extremely dangerous.
The man is believed to have been trying to find a bridge to cross the river west of Fantail Falls at about 8am this morning.
It is believed he had been travelling in a blue Mazda MPV, registered number DWK454.
A ground search of the area between midday and nightfall has not located him
