Body of missing Russell man found

Earl Raison lived on his boat, Azarmyth. Photo / Northern Advocate

The body of a Bay of Islands man has been found after he went missing over two weeks ago.

The body of Ronald Earle Rasion, known as Earle, was found by a member of the public at Te Puna on Friday, police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said.

She said Mr Raison's death had been referred to the coroner and a post mortem examination would be carried out.

The 48 year-old was at the Russell Boating Club on the night of August 13, and was last seen at a nearby house before he disappeared.

Police believe he tried to row in his dinghy across Matauwhi Bay to his yacht and fell out, possibly under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The weather that night had been very rough, with gale force winds.

His overturned dinghy, containing a bag of clothing, was found on the shore the following morning, and police, the Coastguard and local residents searched the area.

The Rawhiti and Waitangi Marae have placed a tapu on the Matauwhi Bay and Orongo Bay area, which means fishing and taking shellfish is prohibited.

The tapu will be in place until further notice.

- NZ HERALD STAFF