Family of missing swimmer Leka Pasiaka remain hopeful as search continues

Monday, 31 December 2018

Family and friends are remaining hopeful 16-year-old Leka Pasiaka, who was lost at sea on Saturday, will return home safely.

Emergency services were notified on Saturday that the teen had entered the water at Whatipu beach in West Auckland and had not come out.

Police confirmed the search for the missing swimmer would continue on Monday.

Police staff and volunteers were searching the shoreline, while the Police Eagle helicopter and Coastguard would conduct aerial searches throughout the day.

READ MORE:  Shoreline search for missing swimmer called off

People who know Leka have posted messages for him on Facebook.

'We all hope for the best, just want to hear that [you're] doing okay,' one post said.

'I believe [you're] still out [there] fighting your way back. Come on please just come home for your family.'

'All I want to hear is great news that [you're] back and safe,' a family member wrote.

'We love and miss you cous. We need our brave man back home.'

Leka's friends and family were at the beach on Sunday, but declined to make any comment.

Over the weekend, surf lifesavers in the northern region – which covers the area between Cape Reinga and Raglan – rescued 15 people from the water in total.

On Saturday, two people were rescued at Sunset Beach at Port Waikato.

On Sunday, 10 people were rescued at Muriwai on Auckland's west coast, one at nearby Piha, and one at Whangarei Heads.