The body of a man has been washed ashore near Tamaterau on the Whangarei Harbour early this morning.
The body was discovered by a member of the public who saw a lifejacket in the water at the end of Scott Road. He went to hook up the lifejacket and found the man holding on to it.
Police believe the Maori man, who is aged in his late 50s to early 60s, has fallen off a boat in the area. However, the man had no identification on him and there are no reports of missing people or reports of people overdue from fishing trips.
He may have been in the water overnight.
He was wearing a black cardigan with a large button on the front, three t-shirts and a pair of grey stubby shorts. One of the t-shirts had the writing, “I was nowhere near when it happened, but I was close enough.”
The lifejacket was a red FD brand.
Police are now searching nearby boat ramps to see if they can locate where the man may have been and they are also visiting residents in the Tamaterau area to see if anyone knows the man.
Police would like to hear from anyone who may know this man and ask people to call the Whangarei Police Station on 09 430 4500 if they have any information.
For media inquiries contact Northland Police Communications Manager Sarah Kennett on 09 945 4650 or 021 192 1099.