Missing Tokoroa teacher search

The story so far

A 36-year-old Tokoroa Intermediate School teacher has been missing since he was last seen near Rotorua on 30 September.^{6, 7, 9, 10 Oct 2025} He was last seen at a swimming spot on Waiotapu Loop Road, and he missed the start of the new school term.^{7, 9, 10 Oct 2025; 6 Nov 2025} Police and Search and Rescue searched the area, and authorities asked visitors to the natural pools to come forward with information.^{7, 10 Oct 2025} Authorities also examined his digital footprint to track his movements. Police later ruled out foul play, and the search was scaled back.^{9 Oct 2025; 6 Nov 2025} Police have now suspended the physical search after aerial and ground searches failed to locate him.^{28 Nov 2025}

Latest

Police have suspended the physical search for the missing teacher, who has not been found.^{28 Nov 2025}

Key moments

1. 6 Oct 2025Teacher reported missing after last being seen near Rotorua on 30 September
2. 7 Oct 2025Search and Rescue join police; public asked for information about the area
3. 9 Oct 2025Authorities begin examining the missing teacher's digital footprint to track movements
4. 10 Oct 2025Police ask visitors to Waiotapu Loop Road natural pools to come forward
5. 6 Nov 2025Police rule out foul play; search and rescue efforts scaled back
6. 28 Nov 2025Physical search suspended after aerial and ground searches fail to locate him

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