Western Bay of Plenty police are searching for a 26-year-old Thai man who has been living in New Zealand illegally for nearly two years.

Payeo Chaimat fled from police and Immigration officials at a rural Te Puke property about 7pm yesterday.

Chaimat was one of three Thai nationals who came to the country in August 2007 with a year-long work permit but never left.

"The three men were all located at this property, and were being spoken to by police and Immigration ... (when) one of the men ran away," Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Mike Clement said.

A police dog was brought in to track Chaimat, but the search was called off when conditions became hazardous, he said.

The search resumed at first light today, with the help of the Tauranga search and rescue team and a helicopter from Rotorua.

Mr Clement said Chaimat was wearing a light grey top, grey pants and shoes.

He speaks "understandable" English, he said.

(Source NZPA)