The family of a man swept away while trying to swim across the swollen Whanganui River say they are coming to terms that he is probably dead.
Whanganui man Duane Kaka, 34, went missing about 1pm on Saturday as he attempted to cross the river with another person.
The pair were believed to be part of a group of canoeists who had been on the river below John Coull Hut in Whanganui National Park.
The search for Mr Kaka was downgraded on Tuesday after boats and a helicopter failed to find any sign of him.
Police divers had been unable to search the river because the water was too murky after recent downpours and slips.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Kaka's family described him as an easy-going and generous man.
He was happy-go-lucky and "would give you the shirt off his back", they said.
"As a family we have pretty much accepted that he has gone and we just want him back so we can take him home."
Police will again sweep the river by boat on Wednesday and have asked tour boats to be vigilant during their operations on the river.
While the river level has dropped since the weekend, it was still above normal levels and the water remained murky, providing minimal visibility for divers, police said.
NZN