Police and emergency volunteers are conducting an extensive land and sea search for Ross Weir, a 71-year-old man missing from his beachside home on Pukehina Parade in the Bay of Plenty. He disappeared in the early hours of Wednesday, August 19, prompting a multi-agency response across the Pukehina Spit coastline and residential properties.
Authorities have mobilized a large-scale operation involving multiple emergency services following the disappearance of Ross Weir, 71, from his property near Motunau Park in the Bay of Plenty. According to police, he went missing from his beachside home in the early hours of Wednesday, August 19, and has not been seen or heard from since
.
Multi-Agency Search Operations Across Pukehina Spit Land and Water
The search effort has drawn on a broad coalition of responders. According to police statements, operations span both land and water through extensive area canvass inquiries
led by police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand teams, Surf Life Saving, Coastguard, and NZ Land Search and Rescue volunteers. Aerial support has also been deployed via the Eagle helicopter to sweep the surrounding coastline and estuary areas.
Specialist teams have concentrated a significant portion of their ground efforts on the Pukehina Spit residential area. Approximately 700 properties in the neighborhood are being systematically searched by personnel looking for any trace of the missing man.
Current Evidence Status and Public Appeals by New Zealand Police
Despite the expansive sweep involving vessels, air support, and ground crews covering hundreds of residential properties, authorities report that no evidence has been located that would assist in determining Ross’s whereabouts
.
With leads scarce and search efforts ongoing, police continue to urge anyone in the community with relevant information to come forward. We again seek assistance from the public as efforts continue to locate Ross and return him to his family,
a police spokesperson said.
How Community Members Can Contact Authorities With Sightings
Anyone who has seen Ross Weir or holds information that could assist search and rescue teams is asked to contact police on 105.
