Missing Christchurch teenager search

The story so far

A 17-year-old was last seen in Ōpāwa, Christchurch, on Friday afternoon, 26 September, and police began searching for him after he had no contact.^{27, 28 Sep 2025; 2 Oct 2025} His vehicle was later found in Sumner, and searches focused on the coastline around Scarborough, using drones, boats and land teams.^{27, 28 Sep 2025} Police briefly paused the physical search to review CCTV footage, then released new images showing him on Whitewash Head Road in Scarborough.^{29 Sep 2025; 1 Oct 2025} The search was widened to Nicholson Park and nearby coastal areas, with more than 70 people assisting, and a helicopter was later used over the Scarborough and Godley Head coastlines.^{2, 3 Oct 2025} After a week without finding him, police moved the search into a recovery phase, as an aerial search between Sumner and Godley Head failed to locate him.^{3, 6 Oct 2025}

Latest

Police have moved the search into a recovery phase after an aerial search between Sumner and Godley Head found no sign of him.^{6 Oct 2025} The search has been missing for a week, with police asking the public to avoid the Scarborough and Godley Head areas during the operation.^{3 Oct 2025}

What's next

Land Search and Rescue teams will continue land-based efforts in the coming days.^{6 Oct 2025}

Key moments

1. 27 Sep 2025Teenager reported missing after last being seen in Ōpāwa; vehicle found in Sumner.
2. 29 Sep 2025Physical search paused as police turn to CCTV and other lines of inquiry.
3. 1 Oct 2025New CCTV images released showing him on Whitewash Head Road, Scarborough.
4. 2 Oct 2025Search widened to Nicholson Park and coastal areas; over 70 people assisting.
5. 3 Oct 2025Helicopter search launched over Scarborough and Godley Head coastlines after one week missing.
6. 6 Oct 2025Police move search into recovery phase after aerial search finds no sign of him.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.