The 17-year-old who drowned at Castlecliff on Christmas Day was Jordan James Marshall, of Whanganui.
Police released the name of the young man yesterday after his body was found on Sunday night.
Police said he was found just north of where he went missing.
On Friday afternoon, Jordan and his girlfriend were swimming beside one another at Castlecliff Beach when he was caught in a rip. His partner noticed he was in trouble and tried to raise the alarm.
It is understood he quickly disappeared beneath the water's surface and was not spotted again.