Body washed ashore to be identified today, could be Jason Lines

General view of Anzac Bay where a body was recovered early on Monday. Photo/Alan Gibson

It's hoped the discovery of a body washed ashore on a Bay of Plenty beach may bring closure for the family of a Rotorua fisherman who went missing in the area a week ago.

The body was found in Cave Bay, near Anzac Bay at Bowentown, yesterday by a couple fishing in the area.

A police media spokeswoman said a formal identification process would take place today. "The Coroner will then have to sign it off before we can formally release the identity."

At 10.22am yesterday firefighters from the newly established Mayor View brigade were called to what they initially thought was a medical event.

Firefighters from the merged Waihi Beach and Athenree brigades navigated a steep stairway down from the Bowentown top carpark to the small beach, understood to be a popular fishing spot.

Firefighter Luke Burgess said when they arrived, they realised it was not a medical event "but a recovery event".

"Police were called straight away ... we worked with police to recover the deceased."

Police and lifeguards boarded an IRB at Anzac Bay to take them around to Cave Bay, where they picked up the body.

A couple camping at Anzac Bay said police arrived and told them a body had been found.

The couple, who would not be named, said they believed the body was that of Jason Lines who went missing a week ago when the dinghy he was in capsized on the Bowentown Bar.

"We just hope it brings closure for his family," the woman said.

A man camping nearby said the discovery was sad but good for Lines' family.

Rotorua's Billy Macfarlane spent the four weeks before Lines went missing working with him and 12 other young men, teaching them te reo and tikanga Maori.

MacFarlane spoke out because he felt Lines deserved "the last words said about him to be good things".

"People have been quite critical about these young boys because of some of their behaviour, but working with them I saw they were good learners and really focused."

He said the 24-year-old was loving what they were learning and was a bit of a leader within the group.

"I am really saddened by what has happened. If I could say one word about him, it was potential. He was polite, and friendly and even starting to lead the haka."

MacFarlane said the rest of the boys weren't taking the news well.

"They're shattered. [Today] I will talk to them about grief in a Maori sense, it's their best friend and I want them to feel safe in their grief."

MacFarlane said the last time they spoke Lines had talked about wanting to be a better role model and become a better member of society.

The tributes on Facebook have already begun flowing in with people sending love to his family and hoping his body could be returned.