This week will mark one year since the disappearance of young Argentinian tourist Hector Gaston Artigau at Mount Aspiring National Park.

On Thursday February 6, 2025, Hector set off on a day hike along the Rob Roy Glacier Track.

He is believed to have fallen into the canyon, which led into a river, and has not been seen since.

Police Search and Rescue (SAR) teams extensively searched the canyon, river, and surrounding areas.

“Police have exhausted all available lines of enquiry…, but sadly Hector has not been found,” Police Otago Lakes Central Area Commander Inspector Paula Enoka told the Wānaka App this week.

“At this stage, the disappearance of Hector remains an open investigation and we continue to appeal for information that may help us understand what has happened to him.”

The search for Hector was “unquestionably the most difficult operation we have undertaken", Wānaka SAR swiftwater/canyon team leader Roy Bailey said last year.

Wānaka SAR's swiftwater/canyon, sub-alpine and incident management teams - with the assistance of Aspiring Helicopters - spent nine days trying to recover Hector’s body from the canyon.

The effort involved more than 800 volunteer hours, Wānaka SAR chair Raewyn Calhaem said.

“Sadly, while the victim's pack and several other articles were recovered, the search could not locate his body, which is believed to be trapped in one of the deep pools in the canyon,” she said.

Anyone with information about Hector’s disappearance should contact Police either online or over the phone (105), and quote file number: 250212/2832.

Read more: Search for Hector ‘most difficult’ SAR operation yet

PHOTO: Supplied