Body found in pond in South Auckland

A man's body has been found in a South Auckland pond.

Police had been searching for him since his family reported him missing at 1pm.

The police dive squad were called in to search a pond in Manurewa after some of the man's belongings were found near it.

Police have just confirmed that divers have located a body in the pond.

"Fears that the missing man might have fallen in a pond behind his house were realised when police divers located his body under water soon after they arrived at the scene," said a police spokeswoman.

"Formal identification procedures have yet to be completed. The incident has been referred to the coroner."

The body was recovered just before 7pm.