Saturday, 6 February 2021

Body found a week after swimmer goes missing

    1. Canterbury
    2. Districts

    The police dive squad at the Waimakariri River earlier this week. Photo: NZ Herald
    The police dive squad at the Waimakariri River earlier this week. Photo: NZ Herald
    Police believe a body found in a Canterbury river today is that of a swimmer who went missing a week ago.

    The body was found today in the Waimakariri River, near Kairaki.

    Police were called to the area about 6.30am.

    While formal identification had yet to take place, police said they believed the body to be that of Kapuaiwaho "Kapu" Waretini (38), of Auckland.

    Mr Waretini failed to return from swimming in the river last Saturday.

    His death will be referred to the Coroner.