The police dive squad is still searching for the driver of a car that crashed into a canal near Methven early this morning.
Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Dave Gaskin said the body of the passenger was found in the car that crashed into the Rangitata Diversion Race near Methven.
Emergency services received a report of a car that went into the canal off Pudding Hill Road shortly after 1am.
Search and Rescue staff recovered the car from the water earlier today.
Police say a formal identification process has begun to identify the person who died.
Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.