Police name swimmer missing for five days on Canterbury river
Wednesday, 3 February 2021
Police have expanded their search area as they head into the fifth day looking for a man who disappeared while swimming in a Canterbury river.
He was named on Wednesday as 38-year-old Kapuaiwaho “Kapu” Waretini, of Auckland.
Kapu’s whānau had asked for privacy at this time, police said in a statement.
Police were alerted to the missing swimmer on the Waimakariri River about 6.45pm on Saturday after his friends were unable to find him.
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Police divers and Coastguard have been scouring the river since Saturday night, but are yet to find any sign of Waretini.
Waretini was named an emerging leader in the 2012 Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards.
The citation said he had dedicated his career to Māori improvement in the public sector and local communities.
“Kapu has always wanted to serve his people and ensure they have the best possible access to opportunities.”
He worked for Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Māori Development, leading a team highlighting Māori success and achievement to the world at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
In 2011, he oversaw the first accreditation granted to a marae in New Zealand, and in 2004 his work at the States Services Commission focused on workplace training for young people in public service.
“A natural leader, Kapu effortlessly understands and engages with people. He is resilient, determined and always rises to a challenge,” the citation said.
A police spokeswoman said search and rescue crews were searching the beaches at the Waimakariri River mouth throughout Wednesday.
Police would also review the parts of the search completed so far, she said.
On Monday, police divers and Coastguard focused their efforts on a 400-metre stretch of river between the State Highway 1 bridge and the Old Waimakariri bridge, which Main North Rd uses.
A helicopter and Coastguard returned to the river on Tuesday, extending their search to where the river meets the sea on the east coast.
The 400m stretch of river was also placed under a rāhui (a temporary closure) by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tūāhuriri on Monday.
The rāhui bans the gathering of kaimoana (seafood) and recreational activities in the area.
It will remain in place until further notice by the hapū following discussions with Waimakariri District Council and Environment Canterbury.
Anyone with information about Waretini is asked to call 105 and quote file number 210130/5446.