KEY POINTS:
The search resumed today for the man believed drowned in the Northland floods.
Kerry Michael Witt, 40, was swept away in a swollen stream in the Bay of Islands on Tuesday night.
He and his partner Lavona Cherrington, 49, were trying to cross a ford in the Waikare Creek to get to their house in Waikare Valley Rd, between Kawakawa and Russell.
Ms Cherrington's body was found 1.5km downstream and tangled in trees but there has been no sign of Mr Witt.
Northland rescue staff are hoping improved weather will help them find Mr Witt's body today.
"The river levels have dropped and the weather has improved," a Northland police spokeswoman said.
"We believe there may be more bad weather coming in a few days so we are trying to take advantage of this break in the weather."
She said searchers would spend much of their time focusing on tributaries of the river.
The couple's cars were parked on the opposite side of the creek from their home, something neighbours said locals often did when they expected the river to rise.
- NZPA
