The military's out looking for a man missing from a commercial fishing boat, without a lifejacket

Fishing company Sealord says the man didn't report for duty this morning on the Otakou, which is in waters off Cape Palliser - the North Island's southernmost point.

The Air Force has deployed an NH90 helicopter to join the search - alongside three fishing boats, a rescue helicopter and a police launch.

The Defence Force says rescuers asked for their help, after the search area was widened.

Sealord says the man was not on active duty when he disappeared.

Crew on board the Otakau are performing man overboard procedures - but the fishing company says they don't actually know the circumstances of his disappearance.