The family of missing Hamilton grandmother Audrey Gibson is starting from scratch in their search after a case of mistaken identity meant she may have gone missing in a suburb previously ruled out.
Mrs Gibson, 82, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, was last seen near her Comries Road home on December 2.
Since then, family members, police and Search and Rescue volunteers had carried out a number of searches for "Nana G", including areas surrounding her home, parks, reserves and the Waikato River, Sergeant Neil Fenwick said.
Her Chartwell hairdresser said she last saw Mrs Gibson around 2pm on December 2 - originally ruling out several unconfirmed sightings of Mrs Gibson in Glenview at the same time, the Waikato Times reported.
But it now appeared it was a different Mrs Gibson who visited the hairdresser that day.
Mrs Gibson's granddaughter Angela Manga said the family was "starting from scratch" in their search.
"We want all those people who said they saw her in Glenview to come forward again."
Ms Gibson is described as a female Caucasian, about 160cm tall with grey hair and glasses. She was last seen wearing a white sleeveless shirt, a brown jersey and brown trousers and was carrying a green canvas shopping bag and a black handbag.
Anyone with information on her disappearance can contact her family on (07) 853 5434 or call the Hamilton Police.
NZPA