Sam Newton-Jones has been reported missing from West Auckland. Photo / NZ Police
His family said Newton-Jones, a doctoral psychology student, had experienced mental health challenges in the past but had recently spoken optimistically about the year ahead.
Newton-Jones, who was born in Dunedin, trained as an engineer before changing careers in his mid-20s to pursue psychology.
He is in the final stages of completing his PhD and is passionate about helping children and young adults overcome adversity.
Police are hoping to hear from anyone who spotted Newton-Jones on the Mercer Bay Loop Track or around Piha yesterday afternoon or evening.
He had also visited the walking track on Monday, October 19, and anyone who saw him that day is encouraged to come forward.
Newton-Jones is about 185cm tall, wears glasses and was last seen wearing a white shirt, black pants and black sneakers.
His family have asked Piha residents to keep an eye out for him.
The Mercer Bay Loop Track is about 50km west of Auckland city centre.
The 2.2km loop track takes about an hour to complete, with some steep sections and exposed cliff edges.
The area has been linked to several mysterious disappearances over the years, including two women who vanished after visiting the same walking track.
In December 2012, Cherie Vousden, 42, was last seen walking the Mercer Bay Loop Track. Her car was found near the entrance, but despite extensive searches, she was never found.
Five years later, Middlemore Hospital nurse Kim Bambus, 21, disappeared after heading to the track for a run. Her vehicle was discovered in the same carpark, but searches failed to locate her.
A coroner later concluded Vousden had most likely fallen from the cliffs and been swept out to sea, while Bambus’s death was ruled a suicide.
French exchange student Eloi Rolland, 18, also vanished in the Piha area in March 2020.
He was last seen on CCTV at Fruitvale Train Station in New Lynn, with cellphone data later placing him near Piha Rd.
Despite extensive inquiries, no trace of him has been found.
His father, Thierry, told the Herald last year that the family remained desperate for answers.
“Every day, every night, we think of Eloi. It’s very difficult because we have no news of Eloi.”
Anyone who has seen Newton-Jones or has information on his whereabouts was asked to call the 105 non-emergency line, quoting file number 261020/5431.
Information can also be provided anonymously on 0800 555 111 using the same reference number.