A drone is blamed for delaying the arrival of the Police dive squad to search for a missing swimmer at Omanawa Falls.

The drone is reported to have been flown in Tauranga airspace this morning and it was understood police were searching for the operator.

Tauranga Airport manager Ray Dumble said a flight was delayed for about 15 minutes because a drone was being flown around the vicinity of the Trinity Wharf hotel on Dive Crescent.

It was understood the delayed flight was carrying members of the dive squad, who were yet to arrive at the falls.

READ MORE: Police dive squad called to help search for missing swimmer

A police spokesperson confirmed air traffic control alerted police at 9.50am to the presence of a drone seen flying near the Trinity Wharf Hotel and nearby apartments.

"They advised they have had to stop aircraft flying because of it," she said.

"Police arrived at that location at 9.55am and have not seen any drones. We have advised air traffic control of that."

A police spokeswoman said the police dive squad was expected to arrive from Wellington mid-morning.

Air New Zealand called for tighter regulations around the use of drones last month after a near miss with an international flight approaching Auckland Airport.

Pilots operating Air New Zealand flight NZ092 from Haneda, Tokyo encountered a drone estimated to be just 5m away from the 777-200 aircraft during its descent into Auckland.

Veteran TV journalist Rod Vaughan blamed a drone for smashing the windscreen of his two-seater Aeroprakt Foxbat light plane, which he was forced to crash land near Waihi last month.

Meanwhile, a rescue team from Hamilton arrived at the Omanawa Falls search scene this morning, as well as local police and council representatives.

The male swimmer has been missing since yesterday afternoon.

READ MORE: Person missing in the water at Omanawa Falls

Neighbours of Omanawa Falls said they expected something terrible to happen since the dangerous beauty spot's internet fame exploded in recent years.

Gates and signs warning people that the access track is closed and dangerous have been no deterrent, with hundreds of tourists visiting each summer and documenting their travels on social media.

Neighbours said the tourists caused huge problems - from cars blocking driveways to people defecating alongside the road.

Then there were the regular emergency callouts - three in the past few weeks, said two neighbours who spoke on the condition they not be named.

"We've been dreading something like this happening," one said. "Someone is going to come out in a body bag."

She did not know how the swimmer got into trouble, but said the water at the falls at this time of year it would be "absolutely freezing".

People had also been known to climb to the top of the 35m high falls and jump into the pool below.