Searchers have headed out for a fifth day as they try to find missing yachtsman Alan Langdon and his 6-year-old daughter, Que.
Que Langdon Photo: Supplied
Police are focussing their search efforts in Northland after reports a vessel similar to Mr Langdon's headed in that direction in the last few days.
The pair have not been heard from since setting off from Waikato for the Bay of Islands on a small catamaran on 17 December.
Police said it was possible Mr Langdon had left New Zealand waters. They were working with Interpol in the search.
An extensive search has been under way since Tuesday. Police were notified on Monday the pair were missing.
As well as Northland, police were searching the western coastline from Kawhia to Cape Reinga and the eastern coast to the Bay of Islands. The airforce, Coastguard air patrol and marine units are involved.
The boat was described as white, with blue anti-fouling paint under the waterline, with the sail number T878.
Que's Swiss mother, Ariane Wyler, who is based in Golden Bay, near Nelson, said today she had received no further news, but remained hopeful.
She has hired Child Recovery Services contractor Col Chapman to help the search.
Mr Chapman said he would arrive in New Zealand late tomorrow. He planned to organise an aerial search of the West Coast to Stewart Island.
Que Langdon, 6, and her father Alan Langdon have not been heard from since they left Kawhia on their catamaran on 17 December. Photo: Facebook
Mr Chapman said Mr Langdon, an Australian citizen with family in New Zealand, may be trying to make it to Australia.
He no longer believed Mr Langdon's voyage was an innocent sailing trip but, he alleged, another attempt to take Que to elude the family court system.
He said it was possible the pair had a mishap at sea or were hiding somewhere in coastal New Zealand.