Search for former Rotorua man | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

A 71-year-old man missing for more than two weeks in what is thought to be a kayaking accident off Ohope is a former Rotorua pharmacist.

John Jeffery and his late wife, Jan, settled in Rotorua in the late 1980s where Mr Jeffery worked as a chemist.

The pair started their family in Rotorua before moving to Kawerau and later Whakatane.

Mr Jeffery's sons have come from all corners of the world to pay tribute to their father as frustration grows over his search.

Mr Jeffery went kayaking after the second round World Cup clash between Brazil and Chile on June 29 and has not been seen since.

Tomorrow a memorial will be held for the 71-year-old at 2.30pm at the Knox Presbyterian Church on Domain Rd.

While the official search for Mr Jeffery has been suspended, family members and friends continue to search the Eastern Bay coastline and the Ohiwa Harbour in the hope of finding a clue that may shed light on where the kayaker went missing.

A family spokesperson, who did not wish to be named, said they wanted closure although family did realise it might not happen.

Birmingham-born, Mr Jeffery came to New Zealand after meeting his Awakaponga-born wife on a cruise, the family spokesperson said.

"John was the ship pharmacist and Jan a passenger."

The couple settled in Rotorua, where they began their family and Mr Jeffery opened a pharmacy.

Twenty-two years ago, the Jeffery family shifted to Kawerau and Mr Jeffery took over as the local chemist.

Five or six years later the family made Whakatane their home.

The Jefferys have six sons.

Mrs Jeffery died eight years ago and since then Mr Jeffery has spent time in Britain working as a locum, has travelled extensively to spend time with his sons and has also enjoyed the simple pleasures of an Eastern Bay lifestyle.

Police know that on the day before Mr Jeffery went missing, he had spent time in Whakatane preparing for a kayak fishing trip.

Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins said that on June 28 Mr Jeffery visited a shop on the Strand and bought a soft, black canvas seat for his kayak.

He then went to two Commerce St businesses in search of the lugs and screws he needed to attach the cushion to his kayak.

 Mr Jeffery had also gone to see a local person familiar with kayak fishing.

"This person gave him some safety advice and set him up with a small anchor," Mr Jenkins said.

From a search at Mr Jeffery's Ohope home, police are confident Mr Jeffery watched the Brazil-Chile clash, marking the score on his World Cup planner.

Police believe after the game Mr Jeffery drove to the Ohiwa Harbour to go kayaking.

The following Monday his vehicle was found by family who had become concerned after he failed to make two appointments. "He was to have had dinner with a family member on the Wednesday night and, on the Saturday, was expected at a grandchild's soccer game," Mr Jenkins said.

On Monday afternoon a land, sea and air search began and continued into Tuesday.

"At the height of the search we would have had about 45 people out looking for Mr Jeffery," Mr Jenkins said. About 70-100km of coastline were covered on foot, shallow water craft looked under overhanging trees while boats and a rescue chopper looked at sea.

The family spokesperson described Mr Jeffery as a man who lived life to the fullest.

"He loved life, loved fishing, played bridge and bowls and had just really taken up kayaking," the spokesperson said.

"If he wasn't out of the country visiting one of his sons he was planning a trip away."

Both the family and police thanked everyone who had helped in the search.

MISSING: John Jeffery.

• Paddle (black aluminium shaft with white blades)
• Old, white fibre glass fishing rod with wooden butt and handle and old reel
• Small grapnel anchor with 30cm prongs
• 25m-long blue rope
• Dark T-shirt with an outline of New Zealand on front
• Yellow life vest
• Viking kayak seat
• Small blue nylon accessory bag attached to kayak
• If anyone has any information relating to Mr Jeffery, believes they may have seen him kayaking, or finds any of the missing property, please contact the Whakatane police on (07) 308 5255.