Auckland boat capsize: Missing person confirmed to be child

5:09 pm on 7 November 2022

One person died and one person is missing after a boat capsized in Manukau Harbour last night (file picture). Photo:

The principal of a south Auckland school has confirmed one of their pupils is the person missing after a boating tragedy on Manukau Harbour.

A boat carrying five passengers capsized off Clarks Beach in the Manukau Harbour on Sunday evening.

One person died, one was rescued, two swam ashore but one was still missing, police said.

Waiuku's Sandspit Rd School principal Sharyn de Jonge confirmed a pupil at the year 1-8 school was missing.

"We're all devastated by everything that has happened," she said.

"We're doing all we can to support our students and the wider community during this time."

The school was working with the Ministry of Education's trauma team to support staff and pupils, she said.

A police spokesperson said they were not in a position yet to release details of the missing and dead.

Helicopters and Coastguard boats have been active since early this morning and the search is continuing.