The search for missing kayaker Koyren Campbell has been called off after a four-day search.
Police said on Friday that despite their best efforts to find 22-year-old Campbell, they believe he's dead.
Campbell's family are devastated at the loss.
"Koyren Campbell was a young man who made the most of every day," they said via a police statement.
"He was a wonderful person with plenty of plans for his future alongside his girlfriend of four years
"Although we do not know the complete facts that led to the tragedy at Tarakena Bay, we know that he was doing what he loved, catching a lot of fish with a bar of chocolate in his pocket."
They say although his body has not been recovered, they remain hopeful for "the sea and the tide to return him".
Police say the search will be reviewed upon receiving further information.
They are still asking people to keep their eyes peeled for any items that may be of interest - such as a life jacket or kayak paddle.
Campbell disappeared on Sunday 17 January After he failed to return from a fishing trip off the coast of Wellington.
His red kayak was found floating in the water with a fresh catch still inside it but the young man was nowhere to be found.
Two days later police dive teams recovered items of his clothing on the sea bed.
