Family relieved body finally found
On Saturday, Natahsa Ardern received a phone call that broke her heart - but also provided a sense of relief.
About 9.15am Wellington police recovered the body of a man after it was found washed up on the rocks at the southern end of Paekakariki Beach, north of Wellington, by a member of the public earlier that morning.
It was Ardern’s brother, 35-year-old Taranaki man Jared Anderson, who had been missing since Monday after an inflatable boat he was in capsized at the mouth of the Otaki River and he was swept out to sea.
Anderson had been with friend Wayne Anthony De Bruyn, 52, of Otaki, formerly of Taranaki, but his body had been recovered days earlier.
‘‘It was bittersweet. I got the phone call and everything fell apart, but it was also a relief,’’ Ardern said.
Ardern and her family had been counting the days since Anderson went missing, hoping he would show up after a week.
‘‘To get him back two days early, all I can say is, what a relief. I’m glad the sea gave him up before seven days.’’
Ardern said Anderson’s body would be taken from Wellington to New Plymouth for his service.
Today, Ardern and her family would attend De Bruyn’s funeral in New Plymouth and she said the recovery of Anderson’s body would make the service easier.
‘‘It’s such a relief, going to Wayne’s funeral ... knowing that his family can carry on knowing we’re OK.’’
She said there would also be a ‘‘memorial chair’’ for Anderson at De Bruyn’s service.
Ardern said the family had been overwhelmed by support and her own Facebook page had been flooded with posts from wellwishers. ‘‘It seems like half of New Zealand knew him and have paid their respects.’’