The parents of an Australian man missing in Hamilton since the weekend say they remain positive that he is still alive.
Paul Arber. Photo: NZ POLICE
Paul Arber from Melbourne went missing on Saturday night and was last seen near the Waikato River early on Sunday. The 38-year-old coach was in Hamilton with a group of children attending a tennis tournament.
The search for him resumed on Wednesday, with police using a boat on the river and concentrating on the areas where he was last seen.
His parents, Sam and Richelle Arber, are in Hamilton helping with the search. They said their son is a terrific person who is always positive and caring and doesn't have an enemy in the world.
Richelle and Sam Arber. Photo: RNZ
Mr Arber said they believe their son is still alive, but may be in the need of help. Mrs Arber said they just want to know that he is safe and well.
Detective Inspector Karl Thornton said when Paul Arber was last spoken to by people on the banks of the river he was only wearing shorts.
"So we haven't found his quite distinctive tracksuit that he was wearing earlier in the night, which was a grey tracksuit with a tennis emblem and club on it, and his shoes - he wasn't wearing any shoes when he was seen either."
Mr Thornton said there has been nothing to suggest that the man wanted to harm himself.
