The names of three men who were caught by waves and tide near Port Waikato on Labour Day while laying a fishing net have been released.
The body of one man, Hopapi Pepa of Panmure, was recovered by Police Search and Rescue on Monday afternoon. Mr Pepa, aged 41 years, was married with five children.
His two fishing companions remain missing and are believed to have drowned. They are Manurewa brothers Aisea Inoke, aged 40, and Maka Inoke, aged 38, both married with young children.
Victim Support and extended family and friends are working with the men’s grieving families.
Sergeant John Saunders of The Police Maritime Unit, said Police Air Support Unit will regularly fly over the coast in the Eagle helicopter in search of the missing mens' bodies.
ENDS