Dogs deployed in search for Michael Namana

After pausing the active search for missing man Michael Namana at Mt Holdsworth two weeks ago, the first cadaver dog search has yielded inconclusive results.

Namana – also known as Michael MacGregor – was last seen at Mt Holdsworth Rocky Lookout on July 31. Despite an extensive search and rescue operation following his disappearance, no trace of him has not been found since.

Wairarapa area commander Inspector Scott Miller said an area had been identified for the search, 75 per cent of which had been covered with the cadaver dogs on Thursday.

“It hasn’t resulted in anything new, so they’ll reassess and in two weeks do it again, and cover the smaller area not yet covered.”

Miller said the frosty weather and rough terrain made it difficult to know how long it would take to complete an area.

“There are gorges and areas where they have to re-consider how to get into the areas with the dogs,” Miller said.

“If it were the middle of summer, it might have been completed faster.”

No new information has come out of weeks of inquiries, and Miller said police have no other information or leads on Namana’s whereabouts.

“We look at bank accounts, sightings, information from family and close friends, and nothing has come out to say there’s a possibility he’s anywhere else.”

Constable Selena Blaney, who coordinated the searches, said the team of dog handlers and their dogs spent the majority of Thursday searching.

“Because of the terrain, you can make a reasonable assessment of how much time you’ll need to cover it, but you don’t know until you’re in there.”

Blaney said pausing active searching on August 9 meant that police had more resources to look into other information that could assist with the investigation.

“We can assess that and make sure we are directing our search resources into the right places.”