The search has continued daily since he went missing.
Rodney Local Board member Mark Dennis told the Herald the man was a “young father and brother” who was fishing with his family on the wharf.
He was a strong swimmer and jumped off the edge of the wharf in an attempt to retrieve fishing gear. He was pulled out by the “incredibly strong” current.
“The outgoing current on that part of the Kaipara is incredibly strong,” Dennis said.
“If you go off that wharf into the outgoing current, it is incredibly hard to get back in, and that brought him out.”
Police say the search for an Auckland man missing from Shelly Beach remains ongoing. Photo / Mark Dennis, Rodney Local Board
Dennis said one of the man’s family members jumped in after him with a flotation device, but could not retrieve him.
The family have remained at Shelly Beach during the five-day search, with the community rallying around them.
“The community’s put their arms around the whānau in a very impressive way,” Dennis said. “They provided kai and warm clothing and shelter for the family because the family wanted to remain at Shelly Beach while the search was going on.
“They’ve been there since Sunday, the family, and they’re leaving later on today.”
The navy also helped with the search. Photo / Mark Dennis, Rodney Local Board
The coastguard said they remained on standby, with the search being led by police.
Coastguard air patrol and volunteer crews, which contributed around 40 hours, assisted with the search, with the Winstone Rescue boat searching approximately 25km from the mouth of the Kaipara River to Mosquito Bay.
A rāhui in place since Monday was lifted early this morning after a search last night by police dive crews proved unsuccessful.
“I’m incredibly impressed by how the community wrapped around the family, looked after them,” Dennis said.
“They’re total strangers, but it was a great example of the community, police, iwi and council coming together to support the family through a horrific time.”
