Police have named the two brothers who drowned at Makarori Beach near Gisborne on Saturday.

23-year-old Paul Wakelin died after trying to save his younger brother John and a friend who both got caught in a rip on Saturday.

18-year-old John is still missing and presumed drowned.

Teams of searchers including police, search and rescue, surf life saving members and family members are continuing to scour the area.

The friend of the pair was saved by a local surfer.