Police are appealing for help to solve the mystery of how a University of Otago doctoral student ended up hundreds of kilometres away in Hawkes Bay after disappearing from a paua-diving trip near Wellington two days earlier.
Colin Smithies (49) sparked a major aerial, land and water search around the Titahi Bay, Porirua area after his partner reported him missing at 11pm on Monday.
Reports from members of the public indicate he walked from the Titahi Bay area and is believed to have then hitchhiked to Clive, 10km from Napier.
Detective Senior Sergeant Donna Howard told a Wellington press conference yesterday a "disoriented and quite stressed" Mr Smithies reported to the Clive Police Station at 5pm on Wednesday, requesting to see his Wellington-based family.
He received medical treatment for minor injuries at Hawkes Bay Hospital before being taken back to his family, who had experienced a great level of trauma over his disappearance.
"He's now in the care of medical professionals to make sure he is safe and well," Det Snr Sgt Howard said.
"Obviously, Mr Smithies has some issues he is dealing with and I'd like to leave it at that."
Mr Smithies did not know where he had been for the two days, but had been remorseful and helpful, she said.
"He's certainly been through a great ordeal, and obviously as time goes by things may become a great deal clearer."
The reason for his disappearance was between him and his family.
Inspector Mike Wright said health professionals would determine whether Mr Smithies was a risk to his own safety.
Despite police interviewing Mr Smithies yesterday, gaps remain as to how the Commerce Commission senior economist reached Clive.
Police want to speak to anyone who may have seen Mr Smithies in the area or who may have offered him a ride.
Police thanked the dozens of searchers, many of whom gave up their holidays to look for Mr Smithies, in a search and rescue operation expected to cost $50,000.
Det Snr Sgt Howard said Mr Smithies would face a charge of wasting police time.
She asked media to respect his family's wish for privacy.
Both current and former colleagues of Mr Smithies said they were happy he was found alive, but declined to comment further.
A doctoral student at Otago, Mr Smithies left to take up his current position in early 2009.
- Additional reporting by NZPA.
