A rahui is in place in the Hutt River after a 5-year-old boy was found dead there last night.
The boy was found at 9.15pm after an extensive search of the Ngāti Tama Park, Upper Hutt. He had been reported missing at 5.40pm.
Police said this morning the cause of death would be determined by a coroner.
Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy said the community was "stunned and upset" by the
tragedy.
"It's devastating for the family and the Upper Hutt community," he said.