The police dive squad joined the search for the diver on Tuesday morning. (File photo) Photo: Supplied
The body of a man who went missing while snorkelling in a Canterbury bay south of Kaikōura has been found.
Police were called to Manuka Bay near Domett about 2pm on New Year's Day after the 52-year-old failed to return to shore, incident controller Detective Zeb Harland said.
The local man had been diving with another person in about 5m of water when he went missing.
An aerial search was carried out on Monday while police searched the shore. The police dive squad began a water search on Tuesday morning along with Surf Life Saving crews.
The man's body was found in the water about 3pm on 2 January.
"Our thoughts are with the diver's family, who police are providing with support at this tragic time," Harland said.
"We would like to thank everyone who has assisted with the search."
A rāhui was placed on the northern end of Manuka Beach by iwi for one week.
