The diver who died at Flat Point Beach in Masterton has been named as 31-year-old Leroy Smith.
Smith's body was recovered by members of his family on December 18, after he went missing off the coast of Wairarapa a day earlier.
The Manawatu man was diving with two others at Flat Point Beach when he got into difficulty in the water.
Two of the divers made it ashore - but Smith didn't.
Two helicopters, the naval vessel HMNZS Otago and local fishing boats were involved in the search.