Police search team in New Plymouth recovers body

Police have recovered a body believed to be that of one of the three people who went missing while rockclimbing on Paritutu Rock on Wednesday 8 August 2012.

Incident Controller Inspector Frank Grant of the Taranaki Police says a body was located at the power station near the Port around 7am this morning.

"The body has now been recovered and we are in the process of completing the formal identification. The Coroner has also been notified."

Inspector Grant says depending on weather conditions tomorrow, Police will scale up the search in an effort to locate the other two bodies.

"We really want to bring the bodies of Bryce Jourdain, Stephen Kahukaka-Gedye and Felipe Melo home to their loved ones and that remains our top priority."

The families of Bryce, Stephen and Felipe have been advised of this morning's development. Police will not be in a position to release the formal identification of the body until tomorrow at the earliest.

Police ask media respect the families of Bryce, Stephen and Felipe at this difficult time.