A friend of the Dunedin diver who died near Haast on Friday said the man's circle of friends were "really, really shocked" by his death.
His name, according to a death notice published in the Otago Daily Times today, is Ralf Schumacher (38), a carpenter of Mt Cargill, Dunedin.
Christine Keller, of Dunedin, yesterday said Mr Schumacher's friends were mourning his passing.
"He was really a one-of-a-kind character."
Mr Schumacher, originally from Germany, had been a resident in New Zealand since 1987.
Mr Schumacher's brother is understood to be flying from Germany tomorrow.
Mr Schumacher failed to surface during a diving trip with four others on Friday.
A search and rescue operation was launched at Jacksons Bay, 44km south of Haast, and his body was found on the bottom of the ocean floor on Saturday near Hapuka Rock, where the group had been diving.
Police yesterday said they were unable to confirm his name.
West Coast search and rescue officer Constable Sean Judd said the dead man's relatives in Germany were being contacted.
His death has been referred to the coroner.
Dunedin Dive Club organiser Gregor Chrystal yesterday said, contrary to earlier reports, Mr Schumacher was not involved with the club.
