Volunteers from Coastguard Titirangi and Coastguard Waiuku responded with multiple rescue vessels.
Police are still searching for a missing kayaker. Photo / Coastguard New Zealand
Volunteer crews searched the water and shoreline, covering the harbour entrance, the West Channel and areas east towards Cornwallis and the Papakura Channel.
In calm and sunny conditions, three rescue vessels, two helicopters and a hovercraft searched a large area of the harbour for about three hours, Coastguard said.
Coastguard crews ended their search shortly before 6pm and returned to base, but said volunteers were prepared to assist again if required.
“Our thoughts are with the kayaker’s whānau at this worrying time,” a Coastguard spokesperson said.
Police said the search would continue while there was sufficient daylight to do so safely.
Officers remained in contact with the kayaker’s family during what police described as an uncertain time.
Anyone who notices anything unusual in the Manukau Harbour area is asked to call 111 and quote event number P068059730.