Photo: Supplied / Police
The number of people uncontactable in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle has been revised to five.
Police earlier said the number was four but a report of a further uncontactable person was made on Monday after figures were reported.
The investigation into the report was in the early stages, police said.
Eastern District Commander superintendent Jeanette Park said police did not have serious concerns for the welfare of the four other people and said three of these people may be reluctant to come forward as they were wanted on active charges.
Two of these three people were wanted for arrest for breaching bail conditions prior to the cyclone, she said.
The fourth person had not lived at the address on file for a number of years.
"Police have made significant enquiries to locate the remaining four uncontactable people, one from Tai Rāwhiti and three from Hawke's Bay."
Enquires into all of these people continued.
Police were also searching for Gisborne man Joseph Ahuriri, 40, who was previously reported as uncontactable but who was now being treated as a missing person.
It was unlikely his disappearance was cyclone-related, police said, but it could not be ruled out.
He has had no contact with family or police.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts from 13 or 14 February was asked to contact police.
More than 100 police staff worked on matching and verifying people reported as uncontactable. An additional 70 officers visited homes, alternative accommodation, evacuation centres and other locations.
The online form for reporting uncontactable people has been removed and anyone needing to make a new report was asked to contact police on 105, by visiting a police station or talking to an officer in the community.