We won’t stop, say friends

The official search for a missing Wellington kayaker has been suspended but another search, organised by his colleagues and friends will continue.

Koyren Campbell’s boss, David Downer, has called on anyone with a jet ski or boat who wants to join the search to get involved from midday today.

‘‘We won’t stop,’’ he said. He hopes about 30-40 volunteers will turn up.

Yesterday, police said the official search had been suspended, and they believe Campbell was no longer alive.

A ra¯ hui has been put in place by Te A¯ ti Awa, following the suspension of the search and will be in place for a week. It stretches from Breaker Bay through to Moa Point.

Incident controller Senior Sergeant Dave Houston said the decision to suspend a search was never taken lightly.

Speaking publicly for the first time, Campbell’s family described him as ‘‘a young man who made the most of every day’’.

They said, ‘‘every possible scenario has been identified and investigated’’ since he went missing on Sunday afternoon.

‘‘Although we do not know the complete facts that led to the tragedy at Tarakena Bay, we know that he was doing what he loved, catching a lot of fish with a bar of chocolate in his pocket. Words cannot express our gratitude to all the people involved with the search . . .

‘‘Koyren has not been located at this time, however we remain hopeful for the sea and tide to return him.’’

Houston said while the search was now suspended, it would be reviewed upon receiving any further relevant information.

Campbell’s kayak, with fishing gear and freshly caught fish aboard, was found floating at Tarakena Bay, near Moa Point on the Wellington South Coast, on Sunday afternoon.