The search resumed this morning but intensive efforts failed to find Mr Ravaga-Gaunavou by this afternoon.
The police national dive squad attempted searches today but the rips and swells were too strong to make a dive search effective.
Police said the long range forecast meant they were not optimistic about the opportunity to make further dives.
Helicopters Hawkes Bay searched the area this morning and again at low tide this afternoon.
Local volunteers would continue to search along the coastline in coming days. Police would also be alert to more opportunities for air searches.
The search comes after a confirmed Easter drowning toll of four before the Wairarapa incident is counted.
Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Matt Claridge today said the country's drowning toll was now more prominent than the road toll, and attitudes to water safety needed to change.
"When you're seeing five drownings over the Easter weekend and no deaths on the road that's saying something. Often the drowning toll will be higher. It's not a competition but drowning can often be the poor cousin,'' Mr Claridge said.
Last year's drowning toll of 123 was up 41 per cent on 2010 and was the worst in eight years.
This year's drowning rates were just behind last year - 41 people died compared to 46 at the same time last year.
"My frustration is in and around the attitude of males. It's complacency, it's lack of thoughtful decision making, and a disregard for one's own safety that's led to most of the drownings,'' Mr Claridge said.
Water Safety figures showed Maori were over-represented in the statistics. Of last year's drownings, 24 - about 20 per cent - were Maori, while Maori comprised just 14.6 per cent of the population.
Alcohol was a factor in 18 per cent of all drownings.
Mr Claridge said it was disappointing that advice on commonsense decision-making around drinking and recreational boating had to be made off the back of a death.
"The advice is that skippers don't drink and that those people who are out on the boat don't drink either, because you never know when you're going to need the full benefit of your judgment, and alcohol compromises both your judgment and ability to swim.''
He said New Zealand's high rate of drowning could be lowered if all children learnt swim and survival skills.
