Police have named the man who died while diving off the coast of Māhia as 21-year-old Jason Rangi Paul from Nūhaka.
A helicopter was used in the search. Photo: 123RF
Police said the death had been reported to the Coroner and they extended their sympathies to Paul's family and friends.
A rāhui was placed on Māhia Peninsula in Hawke's Bay today after the body was found this morning. Local boats assisting with the search found the diver's body about 9am.
Paul was reported missing just after 4pm on Sunday.
Search and rescue staff, a rescue helicopter and the local fishing boats began searching, and the Police National Dive Squad was on its way but did not arrive.
Paul went missing near Kinikini (Long Point), on the western side of the peninsula, south of the Māhia township but north of the Rocket Lab launch site.
This morning, a local Māori committee placed a rāhui on the collection of kaimoana along the western coast of the peninsula, from Kinikini to Ahuriri Point, the southern tip of the peninsula.
This means the collection of seafood is prohibited there until the day after Paul's burial.