KEY POINTS:
Police divers yesterday recovered the body of a man who disappeared on Monday night while swimming in an Auckland lake.
Tevaka (David) Papa, 20, of Mt Albert, was the eighth drowning victim in New Zealand since Christmas Day.
Mr Papa's body was found in the water at Lake Pupuke about 10am.
It was about 50m offshore and eight metres below the surface, police spokesman Kevin Loughlin said.
The discovery was made 15 minutes after the Wellington-based dive team began their search in murky conditions and heavy vegetation.
About 50 members of Mr Papa's extended family and his church were at the lake and there were emotional scenes when his body was recovered.
Mr Loughlin said Mr Papa's parents were being helped by Victim Support.
His mother was also being treated in North Shore Hospital for shock.
A post-mortem examination would be held today to determine the cause of death.
Lake Pupuke, in the North Shore suburb of Takapuna, is a popular spot for boating and other water pursuits. The last drowning there was three years ago and also involved a male on New Year's Day.
In Monday's incident, Mr Papa had decided about 9pm to swim to a buoy 200m offshore with his 15-year-old brother and another man, aged 24.
There were waves on the lake, but he was reported to be swimming strongly before he suddenly got into difficulties after 50m.
His two companions tried to rescue him, but could not hold him on the surface and he disappeared under water.
Family members described Mr Papa as an excellent swimmer.
- NZPA
