Wellington and Wairarapa police and LandSAR volunteers late today found the body of a man who has been missing from Masterton since early February this year.
Senior Sergeant Warwick Burr, Masterton Police, said the body is believed to be that of Trevor Searancke, who was 53 when he went missing following a walk.
Senior Sergeant Burr said a postmortem will be held in the next few days and the body will need to be formally identified as that of Mr Searancke, a well known local man who had Huntingdon's Disease.
"We have spoken to his family late today. They understand the need for formal identification and are both sad and relieved if the body is their loved one.
Senior Sergeant Burr said police have made a number of searches over the months into areas where Mr Searancke may have travelled. Today a combined operation from Wellington and the Wairararapa police SAR and LandSAR volunteers focused on areas including the Ruamahanga River.
The body was discovered amidst thick blackberry and scrub on a river terrace, about five km east of Carterton.
No further information is available this evening.