Police are searching for a missing 14-year-old Hawera High School student Phillip Pierson who went missing yesterday afternoon while on a supervised navigation exercise on Mt Taranaki.

A search and rescue operation commenced yesterday afternoon with search parties on foot, the Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter and an RNZAF helicopter but overnight failed to find him.

The search was suspended at 2am, but recommenced at first light with the Police Eagle Helicopter using infra-red technology and the Police Search and Rescue (SAR) team on foot.

Phillip became separated from a group of ten students on a Topec course around noon yesterday and has not been seen or heard from since.

Area Commander Inspector Keith Borrell says Phillip is wearing suitable clothing and has the appropriate outdoor equipment; however police are very keen to locate him this morning. Police are working with Phillip's family and are providing support.

"Phillip is suitably dressed for outdoor activities but has had limited outdoor experience. We are working together with Topec who run the outdoor pursuits navigation course and we know that Phillip had suitable gear for this routine navigation exercise."

Source: New Zealand Police.