Police have located a vehicle outstanding since a man was washed away in the Mahurangi River on 21 January 2026.
Forty-seven-year-old Tekanimaeu Arobati was later located in the river days later on 24 January.
Inspector Nina Pedersen, from Waitematā North Police, says Police have continued to search for the vehicle Mr Arobati had been travelling in at the time.
“The Police National Dive Squad was deployed on the Mahurangi River yesterday to carry out searches,” she says.
“Mr Arobati’s Nissan X-Trail was located in the afternoon and recovered from the river.”
Police efforts have been ongoing since the severe weather event in late January, and this discovery brings that to an end, Inspector Pedersen says.
“Our thoughts remain with Mr Arobati’s family and loved ones, as well as the wider Kiribati community.
“Police acknowledge all the staff from various agencies and teams, as well as the Kiribati community that have been involved in the matter.”
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
