Bethells Beach body belongs to missing swimmer

Johnny Faitaua

Police have confirmed a body pulled from the water off an Auckland beach on Monday was that of missing swimmer, 24-year-old Johnny Perese Faitaua.

The Glen Eden man went missing after he was swept under waves at O'Neill Bay on Thursday afternoon while swimming with his girlfriend.

At about 11.40am on Monday during a search operation, officers on board the police Eagle helicopter spotted a body in the water near the Bethells and O'Neills Beach peninsula.

Mr Faitaua was swimming at the west Auckland beach with his girlfriend, reportedly in "quite treacherous" conditions near rocks, when he got into difficulty at the northern end of the bay, to the north of Bethells Beach.

Mr Faitaua's mother Luisa earlier this week spoke to the Herald of her grief at the weekend as she stood vigil at O'Neills Bay with family and friends.

"My last words to him were 'be careful, son, that beach is dangerous' and then we said our goodbyes," she said.

Ms Faitaua, mother of three, said her son was "kind, gentle and quiet".

Police, including Pacific Liaison staff and Victim Support are supporting the Faitaua family, police said in a release.

Mr Faitaua's death will now be referred to the Coroner.