A body's been found in a search for two people who went missing in a boat off the Whangarei coast last night

The boat was expected back at Pataua South at 7pm, but Police were called at 9 when it failed to return.

A member of the public spotted the 17-foot runabout today, with no one on board.

Another member of the public later found a body in the water.

Police say efforts to recover the second person are ongoing.