Body in stream

A team searching for missing Polish tramper Jacek Grzybowski in the Rimutaka Forest found a body in a remote stream yesterday afternoon.

Grzybowski had been missing in wet and cold conditions for a week since setting off for a day tramp in the area north of Wellington.

Yesterday morning police were still confident they would find the 28-year-old computer software engineer alive.

Search controller Senior Sergeant Murray Johnston said a torch was found in the Turere Stream early in the afternoon and the body was discovered between the Whakanui and McKerrow tracks soon after.

"We have notified the Polish ambassador and the coroner that sadly we have found a body," Johnston said.

"We've made it clear we can't yet determine that it is Jacek because the body is trapped in log debris in the stream."

Grzybowski's family are due to arrive in Wellington from Poland today.

Deteriorating weather forced the six-strong search team to spend last night in the bush with the body.

High winds prevented an Iroquois helicopter collecting them.

If they are still trapped today they may have to resort to the long and difficult task of carrying the body out by stretcher.

Police spokeswoman Kaye Calder said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Searchers from Levin, Palmerston North and Wairarapa had focused on streambeds, gullies and tracks in the rugged terrain.