The Police team searching for the missing five-year-old in Tiniroto have found a body.
The Police National Dive Squad has this afternoon recovered the body of a boy, believed to be Khyzah, from a pond on a Tiniroto property.
Tair¨¡whiti Area Commander Inspector Darren Paki says it is a sad end to a huge search effort.
¡°This is obviously not the outcome we, the searchers, and the community were hoping for, and our hearts go out to Khyzah¡¯s wh¨¡nau and all those who loved him,¡± Inspector Paki says.
¡°I would like to thank everyone in the community who has contributed to this effort, whether it was actively searching, or simply providing kai and kind words.
¡°We have a wonderful tight-knit community here and we see the best of it in situations like this.¡±
Khyzah¡¯s wh¨¡nau will be offered appropriate support as they come to terms with what has happened.
His death will be referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.?