The two boaties feared drowned after an incident at the Otaki River mouth were not wearing lifejackets, police say.
Police have recovered the body of a man, aged in his 40s, and are still searching for a second man, aged in his 30s.
The pair are believed to be from Taranaki.
Neither man was wearing a lifejacket, police confirmed on Tuesday.
They were in a small inflatable rubber boat at the Otaki River mouth around 1:30pm on Monday.
It is believed the two men were heading down the river in a small inflatable boat with oars. They got into trouble when they found themselves in a patch of rapidly-flowing water near the river mouth.
They jumped out but were pushed further, ending up in the sea.
Surf Lifesaving RIB boats have returned to shore due to the rough sea conditions but they are likely to head out again early this afternoon.
A light plane is also being used to search the coastline.
Newshub.
