Police have released the name of the man whose body was found in a car in the Mata River inland from Ruatoria last week.
He was 52-year-old Royce Alan Mathieson from Ruatoria.
His car went off Matahiia Road and into the river and was washed about 300 metres downstream where it came to rest on a small island in the river.
Mr Mathieson was found deceased in the vehicle by police and recovered with the aid of the Trust Tairawhiti rescue helicopter.
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones,” a police spokesman said at the weekend.
