Wellington  - Hopes of finding a Malaysian tourist missing in a New Zealand alpine park were fading Friday as searchers reported worsening weather conditions in the area, police said.

Kok Wong, 32, has been missing since going for a hike in the South Island's Aoraki/Mt Cook national park on Wednesday afternoon.

Police said he was wearing only light clothing and did not return to the local youth hostel where he had left his luggage that night.

An initial search found no sign of him on Thursday and heavy rain and low cloud hampered searchers who resumed the operation with a dog at dawn Friday.

Police said Wong had been scheduled to fly out of the country for Australia on Friday afternoon. (dpa)