27 Apr 2019

Body believed to be man missing on the Coromandel Peninsula

9:00 pm on 27 April 2019

A body has been found in the search for 62-year-old tramper Gordon Nicholson in Coromandel.

Gordon Nicholson was last seen at Whiritoa Beach.

Gordon Nicholson was last seen at Whiritoa Beach. Photo: NZ Police

The police say the body has been recovered from near Mayor Island in Bay of Plenty, after being discovered about 3.30pm.

Formal identification is yet to be carried out, but the police believe it to be Mr Nicholson.

He was last seen on Tuesday at Whiritoa Beach, walking in the direction of a blow-hole at the south end of the beach.

Searchers began scouring the area for him at dawn. The search included Coastguard, surf lifesavers, Land Search and Rescue volunteers, and firefighters.