Body found in Waikato River

A man's body was found submerged in the Waikato River between the eastern bank and the first pillar of the Fairfield Bridge in Hamilton this morning. File photo / Kenny Rodger

Police are working to formally identify a body found the Waikato River, which may be that of Nicholas Atkins who went missing last month.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton said the body was found submerged in the Waikato River between the eastern bank and the first pillar of the Fairfield Bridge in Hamilton about 10.45am.

"At this stage we are unable to confirm the identity of the person found other than to say we believe it was a male," Mr Thornton said.

"The body was found by police staff aboard the Hamilton Police rescue boat as they were conducting a search of the river to try and locate a missing 35-year-old man."

Nicholas "Tommy" Atkins, a father of one, has not been seen since walking out of his suburban Fairview Downs property early on July 30.

Family members found his clothing on the banks of the Waikato River last Thursday but a police search found no trace of him.

Mr Thornton said a formal identification was likely to be completed later today followed by a post-mortem examination.

"It will then be for the Coroner to determine a cause of the person's death."

- HERALD ONLINE