Body found in search for woman at Te Waha Point in Auckland

A body has reportedly been found on the beach at Piha during a search for a missing woman. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A body has been found on a West Auckland beach.

Waitemata West police acting area commander Inspector Stefan Sagar said the body was discovered on White's Beach, near Piha, about 8.15am.

Police have been searching for a 31-year-old woman who went missing yesterday evening while fishing with her husband in the Piha area.

"Formal identification still needs to take place, however police believe the body is that of the missing woman," a police spokesperson said.

"Support is being provided to her husband at this difficult time and our thoughts are with him and their wider family."

Next-of-kin are still to be notified and police are not yet able to release the woman's name.

A helicopter search was launched after a woman fell into the water at Te Waha Point yesterday afternoon.

The incident occurred outside of normal Surf Life Saving patrol hours.

Emergency services, including Volunteer Surf Lifeguards from United North Piha Surf Life Saving Club were called to search for the woman until light failed.

The search resumed at first light today.

MetService said the sea was forecast to become rough today, with a southwest swell rising to three metres for a time.

A Surf Life Saving New Zealand spokeswoman said their thoughts are with the woman's family and friends at this time.

"Surf Life Saving New Zealand's Coastal Safety team is now working with emergency services to conduct an investigation to find out what happened and why," she said.