Police recover body in search for Makara diver Zac Power

Friends and family take a break during the search for a missing 24-year-old New Plymouth diver at Makara in Wellington. Photo / Ruby Spink

Police search and rescue teams have recovered a body after a two day search for a 24-year-old diver off the coast of Makara in Wellington.

The ongoing search was for Zac Power, of New Plymouth.

Police said on Tuesday they still had hopes of finding the diver alive after he failed to return from an afternoon diving at Makara Beach.

But those hopes were dashed on Wednesday when the Police National Dive Squad recovered the man's body, two days after he was reported missing.

The man's family have been notified.

On Tuesday the crew of Wellington Police Maritime Unit's Lady Elizabeth recovered a blue spear gun, yellow diver's float and a yellow catch bag believed to belong to Power.

A car belonging to Power was also located at the beach.

Power had been expected to return around 4pm on Monday. He had been in the water just off Makara Beach, between Wharehou Bay and Pipinui Pt.

Police said support from volunteer coastguard units, Surf Life Saving, Wellington LandSAR, local boaties, divers, and business owners was "exceptional".

"This is an incredibly sad time for the man's family and friends and we are thankful to be able to find him and bring them some form of closure," Wellington Police Maritime Unit Senior Sergeant David Houston said.

The man's death will be referred to the coroner.