Warkworth Police are investigating the discovery of a man's body in the local Mahurangi River, and they say it could be a 17 year old teenager who went missing in the area 12 days ago.
The young man went missing on Friday 20 July 2007 and since then he has been the subject of an extensive area search by Police, family and friends.
Sergeant Bede HAUGHEY says officers from both the Police launch Deodar, and the Search and Rescue Unit went to the scene at about noon today and later recovered a man's body from the river at 2.00pm Tuesday 31 July 2007.
"The clothing and property on the body is consistent with that worn by the missing farm worker. The body has yet to be identified and this is not expected to be completed until tomorrow."
"The body was discovered in a sector of the river close to SH1. The parents of the missing teenager have been advised of the latest developments."
"A post mortem examination on the body will also be carried out tomorrow. As a result of today's recovery any ongoing enquiries will be referred to Coroner," Sergeant HAUGHEY said.