Pictures released of missing man Michael McGrath

Pictures have been released of Christchurch man Michael McGrath just two days before he went missing.

Mr McGrath, 49, can be seen leaving with two bags of groceries from the New World supermarket in Halswell on May 19.

He only spent a short time inside and can be seen wearing a red t-shirt with a black polypropylene underneath with dark jeans on.

The pictures come as the search goes on for MrGrath who was a builder by trade.

Michael McGrath, Christchurch
Michael McGrath has been missing for 16 days. Photo credit: Supplied

Search and rescue teams in Christchurch have previously been helped by members of the public in an intensive grid search for him in the Halswell area.

Six teams, including police, volunteers and a dog, spread out across the search zone on the outskirts of Christchurch over the weekend.

It follows a public plea for information from police, who on Friday confirmed they're still hoping to find the 49-year-old builder alive.

"I am asking people to think back almost two weeks ago now to Sunday, the 21st of May, and forward of that day," says Christchurch police Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney.

Newshub.