A fisherman who died after being swept down the Motu River has been identified as 41-year-old Benjamin Robert Tekira from Waimana, near Whakatane.
Police said Mr Tekira was fishing yesterday when it appears he attempted to cross the rivermouth.
His body was discovered hours later by family members on the shore.
A search for Mr Tekira began just before 4pm yesterday and was called off three hours later.
About 8.30pm the man's relatives found his body, police said.