UPDATE: A search for a man missing in the water in Ōhope is continuing today.

Police are utilising all resources available to assist with the search, and are also working to support the man’s family, said Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Nicky Cooney.

The Police National Dive Squad travelled to Ōhope yesterday and joined the search, and have deployed again today.

LandSAR volunteers have been conducting shoreline searches, and Police are also undertaking air-based searches.

"Police are extremely grateful to all involved, including the wider Ōhope and Whakatāne communities, for the support provided to the search effort to date.

"A rāhui remains in place on Ohiwa Harbour, including the Port Ōhope wharf, until further notice."

EARLIER:

The search for a man missing in the Ōhope Harbour is expected to begin again this morning.

The man, who fled from police into the water, has been missing since Wednesday evening.

At 6pm, police responded to a family harm-related incident at Ōhope Beach, said Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Nicky Conney said in a statement on Thursday morning.

When officers arrived, the alleged offender – a 48-year-old Whakatāne man - ran away and jumped into the harbour, said Cooney.

"Officers engaged with him and attempted to get him to come out of the water but he refused, continuing to walk away from them.

"When the man started swimming further away and against the outgoing tide, members of the public who were nearby sourced paddleboards, kayaks and a boat and went to assist, but the man was not located."

Conney said the coastguard and rescue helicopters were then deployed to assist the search for the man, but the man has not as yet been found.

The Police Natonal Dive Squad arrived in the area yesterday to assist with the search.

The serach was stood down around 6pm and is expected to begin again in the morning.

Iwi have placed a rāhui on Ōhope Harbour until further notice.