A body has been found off the coast of Whakatāne in the search for a man reported missing after going overboard from a vessel in the early hours of this morning.
Maritime NZ said the man was last seen around midnight and it is believed he went overboard in the period between midnight and 3am, when authorities were alerted.
“Several search and rescue helicopters, as well as the police Eagle helicopter have been involved.”
In an update this afternoon, police said a body had been found off the coast of Whakatāne believed to be the man reported missing.
“The formal identification process is under way to confirm the identity of the man.
“Police wish to thank the Rescue Coordination Centre and Coastguard Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki volunteers for their assistance with the search.”
Police earlier said it was alerted a man was missing from a boat around 10 nautical miles (18.5km) east of Whakaari/White Island around 3.15am today.
“A rescue operation began immediately involving the Rescue Coordination Centre and Coastguard NZ, with support from police,” a spokesperson said, saying the man was one of four on board the vessel.
Drift modelling calculations developed a search area of about 300 square nautical miles (1028 square kilometres), Maritime NZ said.
Coastguard Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki volunteers had been on the water as part of the search since 4am, a spokesperson earlier said.