Body washed up at Cape Runaway that of missing surfer

Police have identified a partially decomposed body that washed up near Cape Runaway in north eastern Bay of Plenty yesterday.

Constable Floyd Pratt, of Te Kaha police, said the body was that of Greg Kerei Boynton-Shaw, 31, of Whakatane.

Mr Boynton-Shaw and fellow Whakatane surfer Brandon Jarrett went missing in heavy surf at Omaio Bay, 56km northeast of Opotiki, about four weeks ago.

Cape Runaway is about 60km northeast of Omaio Bay.

Mr Jarrett's body has not yet been recovered.

Mr Pratt said a helicopter was used today for an aerial search of coastline and sea from near Omaio Bay up to Hicks Bay, 180km north of Gisborne, but was unable to locate Mr Jarrett's body.

Mr Floyd would consider tomorrow whether to make another search of the area.

- NZPA