Thames Police have recovered the body of man from the Waihou River but say it is too early to link it to missing teenager John Balchin.

The Waikato Police Search and Rescue team located the body about 12.30pm where the Puriri Stream meets the Waihou River.

Photo: File.

Thames Police Senior Sergeant Graham Shields says the man is yet to be formally identified and police are releasing no further information at this stage.

He says police still want to hear from anybody who may have any information about the movements of 18 year-old John Balchin who went missing in the Puriri area yesterday afternoon.

Police this morning issued a statement for John who was last seen running across farmland near Puriri at about 2pm yesterday afternoon.

Anyone with information is tocontact Graham at Thames Police on 07 211 6224.

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line.