Thermal Drones and K9 Units Deployed in Search for Missing Motueka Man

Police and Land Search and Rescue teams employ advanced thermal technology and search dogs in the ongoing effort to locate 52-year-old Nathan Green.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 10:35 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Advanced Search Tactics and Technology

Acting Nelson Bays Area Commander, Acting Inspector Adam Ramsay, confirmed that the search has utilized various specialized assets to cover the rugged terrain around Motueka and Brooklyn. The deployment of drones with thermal capability allows searchers to identify heat signatures in dense bush or across open farmland that might be invisible to the naked eye. This is being complemented by K9 units trained to track human scent over large distances. Despite these efforts and a comprehensive review of available CCTV footage, no definitive leads have surfaced.

Timeline of Disappearance

Nathan Green was first reported missing from his home in Brooklyn on April 13, 2026. The most reliable evidence of his movements remains a trail camera image from April 14, which placed him in a specific area of the local trail network. Since that date, the trail has gone cold. Police have been working in close contact with Green's family, who have expressed significant concern for his physical and mental welfare as the search extends past the ten-day mark.

Community Appeal: Backyards and Outbuildings

Authorities are now urging residents in the Motueka and Brooklyn areas to take a proactive role in the search. Acting Inspector Ramsay specifically requested that community members check their private properties, including: