Updated 2.57pm: Police have released the name of the Malaysian national missing and presumed drowned after he jumped off the iconic Tolaga Bay wharf north of Gisborne.

He was 37-year-old Kuan Loon Loh.

Mr Loh disappeared shortly after he got into difficulties under the wharf on Wednesday, despite a valiant attempt by an English tourist to save him.

Police say the missing man had lived in the UK for 10 years where he worked as a signal control engineer for the rail network.

He had met up with his family in New Zealand for their tour holiday earlier this week.

The Navy and the Police Dive Squad are continuing to search for the man.

The Navy is using a specialised sonar device in its search this afternoon.