The family of a person missing at Manukau Harbour, Auckland have gathered to pray for a miracle’ as rescuers continue to search for him.

Police said the search would resume today on air, sea, and land, with police search and rescue staff conducting land-based searches on Puketutu Island.
Police said the search would resume today on air, sea, and land, with police search and rescue staff conducting land-based searches on Puketutu Island. (Source: 1News)

Kaniva News understands the missing person is Tongan but we choose not to identify him at this stage.

Police have resumed searching for the missing man after a small vessel sank near Puketutu Island last night.

A police spokesperson said officers were first notified of the incident shortly before 6pm on Tuesday after one of the two people onboard swam to shore and alerted police.

“It was reported one person was unaccounted for and was last seen at around 4.50pm.”

A search then began with support from Coastguard and Auckland Airport’s rescue hovercraft.

Volunteers from Coastguard Titirangi and Coastguard Papakura were also deployed, with initial support from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Police said the search would resume today on air, sea, and land, with police search and rescue staff conducting land-based searches on Puketutu Island.

It has also deployed the Eagle helicopter to assist with aerial searches.