Body of missing deer hunter found

Corey Stephens with his wife Elie and baby Koriniti. Photo / Stewart Nimmo

The body of a deer hunter missing on the West Coast for more than a week has been found, police say.

Searchers found the body of Corey Stephens, 35, on Saturday, on rocks in the Wanganui River near Hari Hari, about 1km upstream from the State Highway 6 bridge.

He was found near where some of his belongings had been found last week.Mr Stephens left for a hunting trip on June 24, and had been been reported overdue on June 29.

Police have referred the matter to the Coroner.Mr Stephens, from Hokitika, was married with a young daughter.