Kaipara tragedy: Last body found

Taulagi Afamasaga (Newshub.)
Taulagi Afamasaga (Newshub.)

The body of Taulagi Afamasaga - the last missing victim after the Kaipara boat capsize tragedy - has been found at Muriwai Beach.

His body was found by a fisherman at 6am on Monday. Police say formal identification is yet to happen, but they believe it is Mr Afamasaga. 

Police have visited Mr Afamasaga's family with the news.

Eleven people were onboard the charter vessel the Francie when it flipped crossing the Kaipara Bar on Saturday, November 26.

Three people were rescued, seven bodies were recovered and Mr Afamasaga remained missing until Monday morning.

The other seven victims of the tragedy were:

Kaipara tragedy: Last body found

The Pacific Island community has been in shock following the tragedy.

"This is a particularly large maritime disaster and has affected a large number of people. I think it's one of the worst maritime disasters in New Zealand's history," Rodney councillor Greg Sayers said.

The Kaipara Bar is well-known in the local community for being treacherous and unpredictable.

Hundreds of family, friends and colleagues squeezed into the chapel at Manukau Memorial Gardens in South Auckland to remember the man described by his family as a passionate, caring and kind person.

Fred Marsters' casket was adorned with flowers, and two fishing rods were leant against it.

His wife Anne Marsters spoke warmly of her husband.

"In everything he did, he did to excess. I know he loved me and the children with a burning passion."

She told the funeral he was more than just her rock. "He was my mountain ... his heart was huge, he was the love of my life."

His love for fishing was made obvious.

His daughter Tori Marsters spoke fondly of their Sunday dinners together.

"He was so passionate about fishing. On Sunday dinner it was always fish, I'm going to miss those times".

Through tears she spoke of how much she adored her dad.

"His life was family and fishing. I'm so proud to call him my dad, I'll miss you and your cuddles."

Mr Marsters worked at Independent Liquor for 16 years. His colleague Bob Lewis described him as a perfectionist in everything he did.

"Independent Liquor wouldn't have achieved what it did without him. He never lost his cool and was always in command".

Mr Lewis said Mr Marsters died doing what he loved - "fishing with mates in a team".

A group of Mr Marsters' colleagues then got up to perform a waiata and a haka.

Newshub.