The chances of finding alive a Malaysian tourist missing in the Southern Alps are dwindling.
Searchers are combing areas near Aoraki Mount Cook Village in heavy rain and thunder this morning for Kok Wong, 32, who has now spent two nights in the open after going for a day walk in just light clothing.
It is believed he had been travelling alone in the country for just a couple of weeks. He was due to fly out from Christchurch for Melbourne at 1.45pm today.
Searchers are hampered by not knowing where Mr Wong went walking, saying it is like "looking for a needle in a haystack".
Police are making efforts to contact his family in Malaysia.
Mr Wong was last seen on Wednesday afternoon at his youth hostel.
However, he did not return after indicating he wanted to visit the Red Tarns Track and The Hooker Valley.
A helicopter and 18 searchers from Land Search and Rescue, Department of Conservation (DOC) and a civilian dog handler yesterday failed to find any sign of him.
A dog handler resumed the search at 6.30am today and up to six more teams will be sent out during the morning to comb the valleys, creeks and slopes where he is believed to have gone walking.
However, poor weather means his chances of surviving are slim. It was 5degC at 7am today and the weather is forecast to worsen. "We always hope there is a slim chance he is still alive,'' DOC spokeswoman Shirley Slatter told NZPA.
Unfortunately not a lot was known about him other than he was a slightly built Malaysian tourist, she said.
Without knowing where he intended to go made the search like looking for a needle in a haystack, Ms Slatter said.
Day walkers were not normally expected to fill out intentions books or inform the local DOC centre as if they did not contact the centre on coming out it would spark a search, she said.
Mid-South Canterbury area police commander Inspector Dave Gaskin said Mr Wong was unlikely to have gone to a higher altitude because of his light clothing.
If he was not found today the search would be reviewed at the end of the day, Mr Gaskin said.
Police are keen to hear from anyone with information about Mr Wong.
