The boat carrying five passengers capsized off Clarks Beach in Manukau Harbour on Sunday. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Police say search and rescue operations have resumed for the person missing after a boating tragedy on Manukau Harbour.
A spokesperson said today's operations will be predominantly aerial based.
The boat carrying five passengers capsized off Clarks Beach in Manukau Harbour on Sunday evening.
One person died, one was rescued, two swam ashore but one is still missing.
On Monday Waiuku's Sandspit Rd School principal Sharyn de Jonge confirmed that the missing person was one of its students and said the community was devastated.
The child is reported to be a 10-year-old boy.
Franklin ward councillor Andy Baker said the tragedy had left the community "absolutely reeling".
Baker said he was hoping for the best and that they would find the "young fella" soon.
Manukau Harbour was a "really tricky" piece of water to navigate, he said.
He said people often did not treat water and harbours like Manukau with respect and put themselves at risk by not wearing lifejackets.
Waiuku local Jay said many in the community had been helping with the search along the coast.
She said she was holding onto hope.
"I just hope that they find him alive.
"That would be the best-case scenario, but I hope the family get closure, and the little boy's brought home."
Police have extended their thanks to the volunteers who have been co-ordinating with their Search and Rescue team.
Police said they will continue to provide updates as they become available.