Teen found in creek drowned - police

File photo / NZ Herald

A post-mortem examination has found the preliminary cause of death of a 17-year-old whose body was found in a Wainuiomata creek last night was drowning.

The post-mortem was completed this afternoon and the matter will now be referred to the coroner, say police.

Friends discovered the body of the teen in the creek near Rata St at about 8pm yesterday after he did not turn up for work.

He had attended a party in the town on Saturday night and was last seen at about 4am on Sunday morning.

- NZ Herald staff