Update: Man missing in river near Aratiatia Dam

A search for a missing swimmer in Taupo will resume again on Thursday morning.

The Police National Dive Team have been contacted and are expected to join the search of the Waikato River after reports of a man missing near the Full James Rapids downstream of the Aratiatia Dam..

Police were notified about 6.15pm Wednesday.

The man, believed to be an Australian tourist in his 20s, was staying in the area with a group of people. He went for a swim and then started calling for help. A female companion ran to the riverbank but the man disappeared from view.

A Rapids Jet boat was combing the waterway with Police and Coastguard personnel on board. The Taupo Harbourmaster was using a jet ski and Taupo Coastguard was also using a Mighty River Power rigid inflatable.

Police, the Harbourmaster and the Coastguard continued to search the Waikato River until light faded.