Police have officially confirmed the identities of three fishermen whose bodies were found on the shore at Māhia on Wednesday morning.
The trio were reported missing off Gisborne's coast on Monday after they set off on a fishing trip.
On Wednesday evening, police confirmed the names of the three - they were 37-year-old Elwood Higgins of Gisborne, 33-year-old Taina Sinoti of Te Hapara, and 38-year-old Damien Macpherson of Te Karaka.
"Police's thoughts are with their whānau at this incredibly distressing time," a statement said.
It comes as a Givealittle page has been set up and tributes have flowed for the trio.
Their deaths will be referred to the Coroner.
What happened?
The trio left Gisborne Harbour on Monday morning for a day fishing for bluefin tuna.
Two other boats did as well. Roger Faber, the president of Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club, was on one them.
"Unfortunately once the morning went on it got worse and worse and in late morning we started to pull the pin," Faber said on Tuesday. "We hoped that they'd decided to come in earlier but then found that their trailer was still at the boat ramp and concerns came, and we decided to get in touch with police and Coastguard."
That resulted in a major search and rescue operation including a helicopter, the Air Force and Coastguard.
"The three lads on board are all Gisborne locals, well-known to everybody. The skipper is a well-known local game fisherman," Faber said.
