The body of the woman who went missing after entering the confluence of the Ōtara and Waioweka rivers in Ōpōtiki on Sunday has been found.

Fishers discovered the woman’s body in the water near Moutohorā Island on Tuesday and notified the Coastguard.

Coastguard National Operations Centre took the call at 1.22pm.

A member of the public on a recreational vessel had seen a person in the water and raised the alarm.

The operations centre notified Police Search and Rescue, and Coastguard Whakatāne was asked to take police officers out to the scene from its base.

Recovery operations are difficult for volunteer crews, and Coastguard is providing support to the Whakatāne volunteers involved.

Inspector Phil Gillbanks said formal identification was undertaken, and the deceased was confirmed as the 36-year-old woman who entered the Ōtara River mouth and Waioweka River mouth.

Her death has been referred to the Coroner and the IPCA has been notified, according to standard procedure.

Police have thanked their partner agencies, searchers, and the community for their efforts to return the woman to her whānau.

Earlier in the day search efforts had been concentrated at the river mouths with specialist search teams, including the Police National Dive Squad, on site.

Search efforts had also involved helicopter and drone aerial searches, search dogs, New Zealand LandSAR, and Coastguard Ōpōtiki.

Two people, a man and a woman, entered the river confluence after fleeing from a vehicle on foot on Snell Road shortly after 4am.

It is alleged they had earlier failed to stop for police.

A 33-year-man was arrested in Gisborne on Monday, and appeared in court facing multiple charges, including driving in a dangerous manner and failing to stop when followed with red and blue flashing lights.

Anyone with information in relation to the matter is asked to contact police online at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105, referencing 261004/6772.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-nz.org.

Rahui in place

Two rāhui are in place following the recovery of the woman’s body on Tuesday.

Ngāti Awa has placed a rāhui from west of Moutohorā to the Ōhiwa Harbour mouth. The rāhui will be lifted when the woman is returned to her marae.

Whakatōhea has placed a rāhui extending from Ōhiwa to Pakihikura Harbour, to both the Waioweka and Ōtara rivers. The rāhui will remain in place and will be lifted at the same time as the Ngāti Awa rāhui.

The iwi ask that whānau and the wider community continue to respect both rāhui until they are lifted.