There had been a possible sighting of Bench in the Whangārei CBD area about 7am on Thursday.
Genna Gillispie, who lives next door to Bench, earlier told
Stuffhe had left his house about 8pm.
She does not know where he had intended to go, but said she believed he had dementia.
“There was a helicopter up earlier today looking for him,” she said on Friday.
“We have had some people come and look over the area again as well as sniffer dogs earlier on Thursday, but we’ve had no luck so far.”
Any other information or possible sightings can be reported to Police on 105, quoting file number 210708/9824.