The father of two brothers who drowned at an East Coast beach says the boys were best friends and the family cannot believe they will not be coming home, Radio New Zealand reports.
Paul Wakelin, 23, drowned on Saturday trying to save his 18-year-old brother John, who is missing and presumed drowned at Makorori Beach, north of Gisborne.
Paul had gone into heavy surf to try to save his brother and a 20-year-old family friend who got caught in a rip. The friend was rescued by a local surfer.
The brothers' father Chris Wakelin told Morning Report the family were devastated by their loss.
“They were best friends. They were both awesome guys in their own right,” he said.
He also said he was not surprised that Paul had gone into the water to try to save the others.
"That's Paul to a T. He wouldn't give up. He would have seen the events unfolding and he would have just been straight in there, even with the risk to himself."