Invercargill Police are seeking answers, after flares were let off last night - triggering a search and rescue operation

Officers were called when three red parachute flares, were sighted between the Te Anau township and Dome Island, shortly before 10pm.

A night search was launched, with the help of helicopters, using night vision and thermal equipment.

But enquiries with people camping in the area turned up nothing - and no distress calls were received by Maritime Radio.

Sergeant Alun Griffiths says if the flares were let off by someone not in distress, they must come forward to put an end to further search efforts.