Police are appealing for any information about a man who was last seen surfing off Papamoa Beach on Saturday night.

A member of the public called police at about 5pm concerned about the man, who went out surfing near the Papamoa Beach Resort.

'He was later seen some distance offshore at about 8pm. The member of the public was concerned for his safety and called police.”

The Papamoa Surf Surf Life Saving Club, two Coastguard vessels and two helicopters searched the area until midnight but were unable to sight the surfer.

A shoreline search will continue this morning.

Police are asking for anyone with information or knows who the surfer is to contact them, in case he made it safely back to shore.

Anyone with information can contact the Tauranga police on 105 quoting file number P044412098.