A police search is ongoing after a report of a shirtless man failing to resurface while swimming in the Whanganui River this morning.

Whanganui police want to speak with anyone who saw a man swimming near the Dublin Street Bridge on Friday morning.

A police spokesperson said emergency services were called to Anzac Parade about 8.20am.

A Coastguard vessel was on the Whanganui River about 9am.

This evening, police released a statement to say that the search is ongoing.

A rāhui is due to be placed over the Whanganui River from the walk bridge at Upokongaro to the Mouth of the Whanganui River at the Sea at 9pm.

Iwi ask that locals refrain from recreational activity and food gathering over a three-day period.

Search activities on the river will continue as police work to locate the man and the Police National Dive Squad will be attending tomorrow.

Anyone with information that can assist Police is asked to call 105 and reference the event number P059047243.

Wanganui Surf Lifeguard Service public relations and communications officer Bex Sharratt earlier said they were part of the response effort.

In a social media post, Motor Vessel Wairua said in light of the missing person situation on the river, it would not be operating this weekend.

Mike Tweed is an assistant news director and multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily the Whanganui District Council.