The handler of the missing police dog says he is not giving up on finding his mate.
The three-year-old German shepherd, Thames, went missing on Sunday in the Totara Creek-Red Creek area of the Wairarapa during a search-and-rescue exercise.
Police say they are scaling back the search but will still have some staff combing the area over the next few days.
Police dog Thames. Photo: NZ Police
Constable Mike Wakefield said he can not just sit at home and wait for Thames to turn up so he has a team and a plan, and will keep looking.
Mr Wakefield said there had been help from all over the country and a team of six are searching higher up the mountain tomorrow.
Police have also asked trampers and hunters to keep an eye out.
