Search resumes for missing Waikato man (Pirongia)

Searchers continue to comb the gullies and thick vegetation of Mt Pirongia for a Waikato man who hasn't been seen for two weeks. 

Richard Michael Shaw, 44, was last seen on June 6. 

"That is a concern," Sergeant Vince Ranger of Waikato police Search and Rescue said on Thursday. "Two weeks is a long time for someone to not be contacted." 

Shaw's vehicle was found in the car park at the end of Greys Rd, near the Pirongia Lodge, on June 12 and was reported to police five days later. 

On Thursday, the police and Waikato Land Search and Rescue search was focussed on the Pirongia mountain area, particularly on tracks off the Greys Rd car park. 

Little is known about Shaw, who lives near Pukemoremore, and police need to hear from his circle of friends, Ranger said.  

Details about his interests - including whether he was likely to have gone hiking - are sparse. 

"We certainly need to hear from people who know Mr Shaw and what his interests are." 

Based on information gathered so far, it doesn't sound like Shaw is a particularly keen outdoorsman or hiker, Ranger said.

Nothing left in his vehicle suggests so, either. 

It may transpire that people have been in touch with Shaw, Ranger said, but the last known point of contact was two weeks ago.

Police have been in touch with his family on a daily basis. 

Weather has been kind to the groups of searchers so far, but the area being covered is vast and full of gullies and thick with vegetation. 

Shaw is described as 185cm tall and of medium build.

He has short, light-coloured hair and is believed to have gone missing alone. It's not known what he was wearing when he went missing. 

Anyone who has information about Shaw or his whereabouts can call Sergeant Vince Ranger on 0211912445. 

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