Police have named the father and daughter who drowned at Lake Tarawera yesterday.
They were 40-year-old Zoujie Cai and his 6-year-old daughter Zexuan Cai from
Auckland.
Their deaths have been referred to the Coroner.
Police would also like to pass on heartfelt appreciation for the support received from the local community and holidaymakers.
A number of people took to the water to help with the search, supplied food and refreshments and much needed comfort to distraught family members.
Officers working at the scene do not know all of those individuals to thank
them personally but feel that their efforts should not go unrecognised.