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Hopes of finding a 38-year-old diver missing off Makara Beach on Wellington's south coast were fading last night.
Police search and rescue co-ordinator Jo Holden said the sea and air search would continue this morning but officers were trying to establish the woman's next of kin.
The woman, who has one year's diving experience was among five friends who left Paremata, north of Wellington, on a private dive trip yesterday.
She was diving in up to 20m of water off Boom Rock at about 8.30am when she became separated from her male companion just before they were due to surface.
"The woman's buddy surfaced and was picked up by the boatman," said Holden. "They couldn't see the woman on the surface so went back down to look for her."
The only sign of the missing diver was her rolled-up rescue sausage.
Tony Howell of New Zealand Sea Adventures said Boom Rock was a popular dive spot when weather conditions are were right.
He said the diver's deflated rescue sausage suggested she did not get a chance to tell the team she was in trouble.
