Police say the search for a missing man in a river in Mt Aspiring National Park is continuing today (Sunday February 9).

The man has been missing since Thursday evening after falling from a rock into the river and failing to resurface.

Wānaka Land Search and Rescue (SAR) canyon, river rescue, and sub-alpine/bush specialised teams are involved in the search.

Wānaka Land SAR chair Raewyn Calhaem told the Wānaka App she was grateful to the SAR volunteers “who are giving up their time with friends and family, and at work, to assist with the search”.

“We have swiftwater and bush teams involved in the field, and an incident management team back at base,” Raewyn said. 

“Within the search area there are some complex water systems with fast moving, turbulent and very cold water.

“We are extremely lucky to have the specialist equipment required to perform these types of searches thanks to donations from the local community and grants from Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust and the Lion Foundation.”

A police spokesperson also thanked Aspiring Helicopters for assisting police with aerial searches and transporting search teams into the area.

Artigau Héctor Gastón, a 21-year-old from Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina, has been named by the Otago Daily Times as the man swept away on Thursday.

Artigau Héctor Gastón has been named by some media as the missing man.

The man arrived in New Zealand in September 2024.

His friends posted on social media that he was last seen on Thursday at around 4:30pm, approximately 600 meters from the Upper Lookout Rob Roy (near the river), Mt Aspiring National Park.

PHOTOS: Supplied