Kiribati man swept away in river found dead after major search

Authorities have recovered the body of a 47-year-old man from the Mahurangi River near Warkworth on Saturday evening, days after he was swept away by swollen waters at a river crossing on Falls Road.

The man, a fisherman who had moved to New Zealand with his wife and four children in 2023, was reported missing during heavy rain on Wednesday morning when his vehicle was swept downstream.

A passenger managed to escape and alert emergency services.

The search involved police, volunteers, drones, and water crews, who worked through challenging conditions.

The operation was temporarily suspended due to safety concerns but later resumed.

Police have confirmed the body was located during ongoing search efforts and formal identification is still underway.

The Mahurangi River at Falls Road, Warkworth, where floodwaters swept away a 47-year-old man earlier this week. Police and volunteers searched the area in challenging conditions. Photo/RNZ/Finn Blackwell

In a statement, Police said: “Police extend their sincere condolences to the man’s whānau at this very difficult time.

"Family members have been informed and are being supported by Police.”

The death will be referred to the Coroner, and authorities have confirmed it is not being treated as suspicious.

Police extended their condolences to the man’s whānau, who are being supported through this difficult time following the tragic death.

Police also acknowledged the efforts of everyone involved in the search, saying: “Police would like to acknowledge and thank the many people and teams involved in the search over recent days, including Land Search and Rescue, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, other supporting agencies, and the many community members who assisted in challenging conditions.”

The incident has shocked the local and Pacific communities in Auckland. The Kiribati community in New Zealand, while small, has expressed their grief and offered support to the family.

Community leaders urged caution during severe weather and stressed the importance of river safety, particularly during flooding.

The man’s tragic death follows reports of another sudden death at Cheltenham Beach on the North Shore. Police received a report at 3.14pm of a man being pulled from the water unresponsive.

Police say additional resources were deployed to the area. Photo/RNZ/Finn Blackwell

Emergency services attended and provided medical assistance, but the man died at the scene.

Police said the area was cordoned off and enquiries would be made on behalf of the Coroner.

Authorities continue to urge the public to take care around rivers and flood-prone areas during severe weather.

The community has also been reminded to stay informed about conditions and follow local safety advice.

The incident shows the dangers posed by floodwaters and the courage of emergency responders and volunteers who risk their safety in rescue operations.

Communities reconnect as storms leave multiple missing

Temporary repairs to the Ngaiotonga Bridge on Rāwhiti Road, east of Kawakawa in the Far North, have restored road access to communities cut off by last week’s floods.

Far North District Council contractors used forty truckloads of rock and gravel to fill a washed-out section of the bridge approach.

A council spokesman advised motorists to “only drive at a crawl over the bridge, until permanent repairs can be completed after the long weekend", RNZ reports.

The reopening reconnects residents of Ōakura, Punaruku, and surrounding settlements to the rest of Northland via Russell, though access to Whangārei remains blocked by a landslide at Helena Bay Hill that could take weeks to clear.

Watch as the search for survivors continues at Mt Maunganui in Tauranga below.

Landslide and flood impact in Tauranga

Severe storms also struck the Bay of Plenty, bringing heavy rain and landslides.

Police have released the names of six people who died in a landslide in Mt Maunganui.

Among those still missing is 15-year-old Sharon Maccanico, originally from Picarelli, Italy, and now living in Auckland.

RNZ reports that her family and community in Avellino are holding prayers and vigils as they await news.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a Swedish citizen is also unaccounted for in New Zealand, though it declined to comment further due to consular confidentiality.

Sharon Maccanico who is originally from Italy is among the missing after the Mt Maunganui landslide. Photo/Avellino Today

Authorities acknowledge community efforts

Police and emergency services have expressed gratitude for the many people and teams involved in search and rescue efforts.

In Northland, contractors, volunteers, Land Search and Rescue, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand worked in challenging conditions to restore access.

Police extended their condolences to the whānau of those affected and said the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.

The North Island continues to face disruption from flooding and landslides, with authorities urging residents to take care near rivers, blocked roads, and flood-prone areas while severe weather warnings remain in effect.