Missing man's body found in bush

Lewis Munro

The body of an intellectually disabled man missing in bush outside Te Kuiti was found this evening.

Lewis Munro's body was found shortly after 6pm by ground searchers close to the Mangaoweka Stream, about 5km from the Mangaoweka Reserve.

Police said initial indications were there were no suspicious circumstances relating to Mr Munro's death.

Mr Munro was one of two intellectually disabled men who became separated from a group of eight IHC clients under the supervision of a caregiver on Monday afternoon.

The second man, Alfred Jonakait, 53, was found safe and well about 9pm that night.

Waikato police communications manager Andrew McAlley said 52 police and SAR volunteers, assisted by a police dog, had been carrying out ground searches all day and the police dive squad and a helicopter had been called in.

In a statement tonight IHC chief executive Ralph Jones thanked police and search and rescue teams for their efforts to find Mr Munro.

"Our sincere condolences go to Mr Munro's family," Mr Jones said.

"Given the outcome of this tragedy, IHC will now commission an independent investigation of the case, the terms of reference of which will be decided in the next few days."

NZPA