Navy divers to assist search for missing man

Police and Navy divers have now been called in to help search for missing Tauranga man Shaun Hogarth.

The 23-year-old has not been seen since Tuesday evening.

Mr Hogarth was with three others fishing in Tauranga Harbour where they got into difficulty and their boat was swamped by heavy seas.

Tauranga police Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair said the Royal New Zealand Navy and police divers, using sonar equipment, have been called in to assist the search of the Tauranga inner harbour which continues this morning.

Mr Wright-St Clair said police were still hopeful that Mr Hogarth had made landfall in the harbour.

"The navy and police divers are supporting the operation attempting to locate fishing gear and other items which may assist in identifying the exact location where the boat was swamped,'' he said.

A further update will be issued this afternoon regarding the search progress.