A man who had been missing from his home in the Ohuka area inland from Wairoa for nearly a week was found this morning deceased inside his crashed utility.
The man, who was aged in his early 80s, was found by farm workers who had gone to look for him.
Wairoa police said the man's ute was found in amongst some trees down a bank on Okare Road between Ruakituri and the road to Lake Waikaremoana.
His body was recovered and taken to Wairoa Hospital.
Police have a serious crash investigation underway.
