Police are talking about scaling back the search for missing five-year-old Jack Dixon, who was swept into the sea on the northern side of Mount Maunganui on Wednesday.

Given the length of time that's passed since Jack's disappearance, and following further discussion with the family, Police are looking to scale back the operation from today, says Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair.

"However, we will be continuing to reassess this on a daily basis, with a focus on bringing Jack home if we possibly can as conditions allow," says Karl.

The Mt Maunganui base track, which has been closed for two days, is reopened to the public today. Anyone using the track should be mindful of the conditions and take appropriate care.

Police and search and rescue volunteers, supported by members of the three local surf lifesaving clubs, continued the search for Jack this morning at low tide, but without success.

"Again, we've had fantastic support from all of the volunteers and the local community who have rallied in behind us to help find Jack," adds Karl. Police are continuing to support the family.

SLNZ Eastern Region lifesaving and education manager, Leigh Sefton, added: 'We have decided we are going to continue our searching, so we are going to run two lots of grid searching between Mount Maunganui and Matakana Island, morning and afternoon, with four IRBs.

'That's the area we are now thinking Jack may appear in, so we are concentrating on that through the harbour area and across to Matakana Island.”

Strong westerly winds forecast will not bother them, says Leigh, and the swell that was over three metres on the day Jack was swept away has gone.

'Just a bit of wind and rain, it's nothing to us,” he says. 'We're used to dealing with big surf and the swell's gone.”

Surf life savers have filled a roster till next Friday, says Leigh, while a Tauranga dive shop has also contacted police volunteering dive instructors to assist with the search.

Jack's parents today pledged to give a portion of money being donated by the community to Surf Life Saving.

A Givealittle page has been set up for anyone wanting to make a donation 'to assist the family with the costs associated with the search and for the many tough days ahead of them.”

The account had raised over $21,600 by 11.30am today.

The family has given the gesture their blessing and say they intend to recognise the support they are receiving by making their own donation from any money raised.

If you'd like to contribute, please click here, or visit: www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/jackdixon