Photo: GNS
The body of a man believed to have gone overboard from a vessel between Whakatāne and Whakaari / White Island has been located, police say.
Maritime New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Centre was notified the man had gone missing from the vessel about 3am on Thursday.
Police said the formal identification process is underway to confirm his identity.
"Police wish to thank the Rescue Coordination Centre and Coastguard Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki volunteers for their assistance with the search."
The search included Coastguard boats and helicopters.
Drift modelling had earlier led to a search area of approximately 300 square nautical miles.
The missing man was last seen at around midnight and was one of four people onboard the vessel.
Flight Radar shows the two rescue helicopters circling the area. Photo: Screenshot/Flight Radar
