The police national dive squad is scouring Whitianga waterways for any sign of missing Auckland man Lucas Cochrane.
The 19-year-old has not been seen since 10.30pm Saturday night when he left a function at the Whitianga Fire Station. He was not equipped or dressed to be out in the open overnight, especially in heavy rain that fell over the region.
Today is the fourth day of the search, which has been scaled down from up to 30 LandSar searchers to about 15.
The officer in charge of the search, Sergeant Sean Keeley, said the dive squad would work with members of the local surf lifesaving club and the coast guard would assess currents.
Eastern Waikato police area commander Inspector John Kelly said yesterday the main difficulty had been the wet weather.
There had only been very brief respites in heavy downpours and conditions today did not look much better.
LandSar crews have scoured, scaled and searched the high and low lands, beachfronts and creeks of Whitianga.
Sgt Kelly said yesterday he had briefed the family that it was now a search operation, not a rescue.
They had taken the news hard and after public appeals by Luke's father, Dave Cochrane, and mother, Catherine Tamati, over the past two days, they were now seeking privacy.
The search teams had combed about 80% of the township and were yesterday checking the remaining 20%.
Crews were out again knocking on doors asking residents if they'd seen anything and if they could check their garden sheds or under dense bush.
Boats moored in the harbour would be included in the search, which would also stretch out to Tapu-Coroglen Rd and the 309 Rd, although police said there was nothing to suggest that Luke Cochrane had left the town.
After appeals for information, police have received about 12 calls from members of the public.
Mrs Tamati told the New Zealand Herald the family would remain in Whitianga until Luke was found.
Mrs Tamati and police have thanked members of the Whitianga community for the help and donations of food received so far.
Luke Cochrane is European, 1.82m in height and of medium build with short, sandy-coloured hair. He was wearing a black T-shirt, dark blue jeans, a black peaked cap and white, red and blue Nike shoes at the time of his disappearance.
Anyone with information was urged to phone police on 111.
