The official search for missing boatie Karl Earwaker has now been suspended, after five days.

Karl, a 39-year-old farmer of Te Awamutu, is believed to have been the sole occupant of the Sea Nymph named 'Optimist”, which was discovered capsized two nautical miles south of Mayor Island on Tuesday afternoon, 21 March 2017.

Senior Sergeant Mark Pakes says that after an extensive search both above and below the ocean surface, by Police Search and Rescue and Mr Earwaker's family and friends, we have not found any leads as to where Karl may be.

I would like to thank all the volunteers from Coastguard, Land Search and Rescue, and our partner agencies who assisted us with this search.

Our thoughts are very much with Karl's family and friends as they have to come to grips with the loss of a loved one.

The matter has now been referred to the Coroner.