Body recovered from Waikato River identified

Paul Arber went missing in Hamilton last weekend. Photo / supplied

A body recovered from the Waikato River yesterday has been formally identified as missing Australian Paul Arber.

The tennis coach was last seen by three people in Hamilton early on Sunday morning after being coerced from the river about 4am.

A body was discovered by a group of rowers from Hamilton Girls High School yesterday morning, prompting speculation it was the remains of the missing 38-year-old.

Waikato field crime manager, Detective Inspector Karl Thornton, confirmed it had now been confirmed as Mr Arber.

"A post-mortem examination conducted since the recovery has indicated there are no suspicious circumstances in relation to Mr Arber's death and the matter has been reported to the coroner," Mr Thornton said.

"Paul's parents, Sam and Richelle, have been informed of these developments and are understandably very upset and we would like to express the condolences of the New Zealand Police to them, Paul's wider family and friends."

Mr Thornton said an Iwi blessing was conducted near the site where Paul's body was recovered and his family, team mates and police staff attended.