Police have found a body in Lake Rua on the outskirts of Christchurch this afternoon, believed to be the man who went missing in the water last night.

The surrounding area remains closed to the public.

A formal identification process will take place, and the death will be referred to the coroner.

The search resumed today.

Police were notified at around 6:50pm yesterday that a man had gone missing at the lake near Johns Rd and the city’s airport.

The police national dive squad was called in for the search, which was watched from afar by loved ones.

Search and rescue teams were back in the area this morning, with the assistance of police national dive squad.

Loved ones of the missing man gathered to watch the search efforts this morning.

Search and rescue teams were back looking for the man this morning.

Father-of-three Varun Chand drowned on Christmas Day 2022 on neighbouring Lake Roto Kohatu when canoeing with his 7-year-old daughter.

After the canoe tipped over, Chand’s daughter, who was wearing a life jcket, was rescued, but Chand did not resurface.