Search resumes for Morrinsville farmer missing in Northland

Searchers will return to a bush area north of Kerikeri tomorrow to continue the search for a Morrinsville farmer missing since the middle of last month.

Detective Sergeant Rod Carpinter of the Matamata-Piako CIB said Amanjeet BAINS, a 29-year-old third generation Indian New Zealander, was last seen at his home about 12.30pm on Sunday 18 April.

"We understand Amanjeet travelled to Auckland that afternoon and continued on to Orewa where we believe he purchased some alcohol from a liquor store before continuing on to Warkworth.

"He filled up his Holden Commodore there before dining at a Warkworth restaurant about 8.30pm."

Mr Carpinter said the discovery of Amanjeet's car in a secluded rural coastal area near Totara North in Northland about 8am on Monday 19 April meant the search centred on there.

"His car was found in a car park in hilly, heavy bush country around Whangaroa Harbour which is north of Kerikeri and south of Monganui, about 10km from SH10 but we weren't notified of the car's location until the following Friday, the 23 of April.

"The person who originally saw the car on the Monday noticed it was still there on the Friday and believed it suspicious enough to warrant calling Police which we're grateful for."

Mr Carpinter said search and rescue teams had been in the area where the car was found at least four times previously in attempts to find Amanjeet while his family have carried out air and sea searches with the assistance of Far North Search and Rescue members.

"It would be fair to say that the longer Mr BAINS remains unaccounted for the graver our concerns are for his wellbeing.

"We'd like to hear from anyone who saw Amanjeet's blue coloured Commodore, rego ELW514 in the Northland area or who may have been in contact with the father of two since his disappearance," said Mr Carpinter.

Anyone with any information on Amanjeet BAINS' whereabouts is asked to contact Morrinsville Police on 07 8895071.Alternatively information can be left on the Crimestoppers confidential crimeline, 0800 555111.