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Colin McGonagle / Sunlive
The search for a missing swimmer began on Saturday near Mt Maunganui, with a body found Monday.
A man who died while swimming on a beach on Mt Maunganui has been named
It was 22-year-old Michael Joseph Finekifolau from Auckland, Western Bay of Plenty area response manager Senior Sgt. Shannon Clifford said.
Finekifolau was unable to return to shore just after 10 a.m. Saturday after swimming with two other people at Marine Parade.
His body was found in Papamoa Beach around 7 a.m. Monday by a member of the public, police said in a statement.
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“Police would also like to thank those involved in the search operation over the weekend, including Surf Life Saving New Zealand members of the Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service and the Omanu and Papamoa Emergency Call Squads,” he said. Clifford.
The Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service thanked all the lifeguards and the community for their hard work and support.
“Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.”
The sea conditions were challenging for the search, with waves of up to one and a half meters causing visibility problems for search engines.
Finekifolau’s death will be referred to the coroner.
