10 Jan 2018

Body found at Haumoana beach during search for missing mother

8:19 am on 10 January 2018

A body has been found during the search for the woman believed to have drowned in Hawke's Bay yesterday.

25072016 Photo Rebekah Parsons-King. Haumoana residents have been pressuring council to help them protect their homes along the coast.

The beach at Haumoana. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Emergency services were called to Haumoana about 5pm last night, following reports of three people struggling in the water.

Police said two children - who were discharged from hospital last night - made it to shore, but not the woman.

A body was found at the beach at 6.35am this morning, although it is yet to be formally identified.

Fire and Emergency, the Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter, the Coastguard, and Surf Lifesaving helped search for her until dark last night.

Police have confirmed the missing woman was the mother of one of the children taken to hospital.