The police-coordinated search for two men missing in Tongariro National Park continues, with a police dog trained in search and rescue techniques rejoining the operation.

The search has now entered its ninth day, with volunteers from LandSAR and police scouring an area between Tree Trunk Gorge Road and the Pillars of Hercules.

Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen says the search area is thick with bush.

'We want to ensure we cover every piece of ground to locate any evidence which would assist us in finding the pair.

'We are grateful to the Police National Dive Squad, which completed its search of waterways yesterday.”

He says the weather today is in favour of the operation team, with conditions very clear.

'As we have said previously, we are determined to bring these men back to their whanau, many of whom are staying in nearby Turangi.

'We have a number of police iwi liaison officers supporting the families and ensuring they are updated on the progress of the search.”