Police have called for help identifying a man in newly released security camera footage, who they believe could be missing man Christopher James Bates.

More than 40 search and rescue volunteers are set to look for Mr Bates today in areas around Alexandra in Central Otago.

The 22-year-old was last seen on the afternoon of February 11 at Alexandra's Z service station on Tarbert Street.

 The newly released footage was taken a day later on February 12 at the town's I site Visitor Centre and police believe it shows Mr Bates.

Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw says the footage does not show the man's face, making identification difficult.

"By releasing this image we hope someone in the community can identify him or provide more information that may be helpful to our investigation."

Mr Bates is described as being of slim build, about 180cm tall, with short to medium length brown hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie, white T-shirt, dark shorts and sneaker style shoes.

Police say he has not accessed his bank accounts or used his cell phone since he was last seen.

Shaw says today's search effort will concentrate on areas that previously proved difficult to access because of thick vegetation and some flooding.