Aucklander Nick Saull is understood to be the man who died while on board the 20-metre Platino yesterday morning.
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand was advised at 11.20am that a sailor in his 60s had fallen overboard from the yacht, 550km north of the country. He had yet to be named by authorities.
Maritime New Zealand said this morning the container ship Southern Lily was re-routing to help the remaining crew and clear the rigging.
The container ship has reached the stricken Platino yacht and its crew are now being transferred aboard the ship.
Once the Platino's crew is safely on board the Southern Lily container ship, an Air Force Orion will resume its search for the missing man.
The man is thought to have been swept from the yacht by the bow during rough seas.
The Air Force Orion temporarily stopped searching for the man, to assist with the rendezvous of the two boats. Defence Force Group Captain Tim Walshe said the Orion had enough fuel to keep searching for the man until after dark.
It was difficult to find someone in those circumstances, but the crew would do the best they can, for all involved.
Meanwhile, friends and relatives have begun posting online tributes to Mr Saull, who is the owner of Brin Wilson Boat Builders - a boat building and repair company based in the Gulf Harbour Marina, in Whangaparaoa.
They have paid tribute to a devoted husband and father who was well known in the boat-building business.
Broadcaster Trudi Nelson wrote: "Life can change in an instant. Am heartbroken. Amazing dad, husband, rugby coach, surf club stalwart, sailor, all-round top Kiwi bloke."
Another friend called the fallen yachtie "a true gentleman" who tragically lost his life at sea."Our aroha goes out to the whanau during these trying times."
Mr Saull played in the lock position for the Silverdale United Rugby Club for a few years, up until about two years ago.
Former teammate Danny Hemmingway paid tribute to a player who was a born leader on and off the field.
"I played alongside him for about four years and he was just one of those guys that everybody respected, everybody looked up to and was just a natural leader on the field. He was just an all-round top bloke."
Mr Hemmingway said his old mate played captain in the majority of his games and was well-regarded among team members.
"He was just a family man and just one of those guys where even after he stopped playing, you'd see him on the street and he'd go: 'How are the boys doing?'
"Even after he stopped playing, he was involved. He was just an amazing guy."
Mr Hemmingway said club members would observe a minute's silence at games this weekend, with all team members wearing black armbands to pay tribute to Mr Saull.
When contacted this morning, a worker at the company said they were not yet prepared to comment.
