Searchers find body of missing 81-year-old

File photo / NZ Herald

Searchers have found the body of an 81-year-old man in Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Police and Land Search and Rescue volunteers this afternoon recovered the body Whanarua Bay man Reginald Brooking in the Whanarua Bay area, near Te Kaha

Mr Brooking's family had reported him missing from his home last Thursday.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and the matter had been referred to the coroner.

Inspector Brent Crowe said police were grateful for the support of family and the local community during the search operation.

He also acknowledge the many hours local and Eastern Bay of Plenty volunteer search teams had dedicated to the search.