Family spokeswoman Sidonee Gibson, who is the fiancee of Mr Bates's brother, Jonathan Bates, said 2500 fliers had been distributed in Alexandra and Clyde and further afield to the Omakau and Maniototo region.
Police spokesman Constable Daniel Andrew urged the community to keep their ''eyes and ears'' open and check their properties and outbuildings.
Police are also asking Dunedin people to keep an eye out, in case Christopher travelled to the city on public transport.
Businesses are also being asked to review their CCTV footage, particularly from Sunday, February 11 and Monday, February 12.
Police yesterday released a new image of Christopher Bates (22).
The image, which is the last sighting of him, shows him leaving a service station in Alexandra on the afternoon of Sunday, February 11.
It is from the same CCTV camera as the first image police released.
Const Andrew said it was important to note the trousers in the new image appeared purple in the photo but were actually just a dark colour.
Mr Bates is described as being of slim build, about 180cm tall, with short to medium-length brown hair and brown eyes.
Police, Land Search and Rescue and specialist dog teams from around the South Island will continue the search for Christopher today.
