The official search for multimillionaire helicopter pilot Michael Erceg and his Dutch passenger, Guus Klatte, has ended.
The Rescue Co-ordination Centre decided last night there was nothing else that could be done to find the men, who disappeared a week ago, unless new information came in.
But Mr Erceg's family
will continue with a private search they started yesterday in the belief that they are closing in on the men's whereabouts, in the Taranaki area.
Mr Erceg and Mr Klatte disappeared on a flight from South Auckland to Queenstown.