Two people have been found dead near Mataikona, off the Wairarapa coast, this evening.
Photo: RNZ / Lauren Baker
Sergeant Tony Matheson from Wairarapa Search and Rescue said while formal identification was yet to take place, police believed the two deceased were the father and son reported missing after failing to return from a snorkelling trip yesterday.
Police were working to support the family who were distraught, Matheson said.
The pair were reported missing at 11.34am yesterday after they failed to return to shore from snorkelling for pāua.
Mataikona is north of Castlepoint on the Wairarapa coast. Photo: Google
Sergeant Anthony Matheson said the initial search included two helicopters, a police maritime unit, three commercial fishing boats and the Riversdale Surf Lifesaving Club.
A large number of private fishing vessels that were part of a fishing competition also helped.
By Saturday morning, police had grave concerns for the pair as the search resumed.
A helicopter was conducting a shoreline and sea search while the police National Dive Squad had also been deployed.
At 5.30pm on Saturday, police said the search would continue as visibility allowed for the dive squad, but by 7.15pm, a media statement was published saying the two bodies had been found.
Police said they thanked all those involved in the search on Friday and Saturday.
Further information regarding the deceased would be released once all necessary notifications had been carried out, police said.