Police divers searching Karaka Bay after a person failed to return from free-diving on Monday. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Police have located the body of a diver who was reported missing yesterday at Karaka Bay in Wellington.
The diver was reported missing yesterday at around 6pm after they failed to return from free-diving.
Police carried out an extensive air and water search yesterday, involving the Maritime Unit and Police National Dive Squad, Coastguard, Surf Lifesaving and a helicopter.
They located the diver shortly after the searched resumed this morning.
Tash, who worked at the nearby Scorch O Rama cafe, said she saw emergency services retrieving the body this morning.
"I just saw lots of firefighters, police, lots of people."
She then saw the body on the ground, which was "very upsetting".
Tash said she had seen a lot of people diving in area before.
Wellington City Council said a rāhui would be put in place in the area where the diver's body was found.
The city and regional councils were working with police and iwi, and a blessing for the area was being planned, the council said.
Signage would then be put up placing a rāhui on the area, it said.
The death will now be referred to the Coroner.
