The body of a missing 25-year-old swimmer was discovered in Wellington's Oriental Bay today.

Four-year-old Lucas Ward will make his final journey dressed as his favourite superhero, Spider-Man.

Lucas Ward's parents are devastated after the body of their little boy was found in a Gisborne river.

Police say the discovery of missing four-year-old Lucas Ward's body was a relief for searchers but "incredibly distressing" for his family.

The disappearance of preschooler Lucas Ward has "ripped at the heart" of the Gisborne community.

Gisborne police were again checking the Waimata River for missing boy Lucas Ward this morning, despite being "99 per cent sure" he wasn't there.

Police looking for Gisborne 4-year-old Lucas Ward have been searching wardrobes in homes near where the youngster disappeared.

Police searching for missing Gisborne boy Lucas Ward have for the first time admitted he may have been the victim of foul play. They also want two kayakers seen at the time of Lucas' disappearance to come forward.

The mother of missing Gisborne boy Lucas Ward believes he may have got lost following a dog and been forced to shelter somewhere.

Jessica and Damon Ward today appealed for people to take five minutes to check all around their properties in case their "curious little boy" had got lost and taken shelter.

A police dive squad is again scouring the Waimata River as the search for missing four-year-old Gisborne boy Lucas Ward enters its third day.

The search for three men missing in the Southern Ocean has been called off, with rescuers saying their chance of survival is 'nil'.