Body found in Canterbury river believed to be missing swimmer

Saturday, 6 February 2021

The body of a man – which police believe is Auckland swimmer Kapuaiwaho 'Kapu' Waretini – has been found in the Waimakariri River.

The 38-year-old went missing on January 30 after going for a swim near the Waimakariri Bridge, just north of Christchurch.

Police were called about 6.45pm after his friends were unable to find him.

An extensive search, involving members of the police national dive squad, was carried out last week.

**READ MORE:

* Police name swimmer missing for five days on Canterbury river

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* Police divers search for swimmer missing in Canterbury river

**

A man’s body was found in the river, near near Kairaki, about 6.30am on Saturday.

A police spokeswoman said formal identification was yet to be carried out, but the body was believed to be that of Waretini.

“His whānau maintains their request for privacy at this extremely difficult time,” police said in a statement.

His death will be referred to the coroner.