The 70 year old hunter who died while trying to cross the Kaituna River on Saturday is described as ‘fit, active and an experienced hunter'.

Riri Ngahu Moko's body was found about 1km downstream from where he was last seen on Saturday.

Maketu Volunteer Coastguard President Shane Beech says family members revealed Riri was an experienced hunter who was familiar with the area where he was hunting and was fit and active.

'We just don't know what happened; there could have been a lot of factors that impeded his trip,” says Shane.

Riri was hunting with another man when they swam across the river in pursuit of a pig. It is unknown if Riri made it to the other side.

'He took his heavy clothes off before crossing. So he did the right things under the circumstances.”

Shane says the lowered river level due to the closure of the Okere Falls flood gates significantly aided in finding the body, which was discovered in river debris at about 10am on Monday.

'For us, it was the best outcome under the circumstances because we are able to retrieve the body and give it back to the family.”

About 50 members of Riri's family helped scour the river and surrounding area for him before his body was discovered.

His funeral will be held at Whakaue Marae in Maketu.