News from NZ Police
The Huntly Police and community have been searching the Waikato River for 13 year old Zharian Watkins. Yesterday the Police Dive Squad was called in again to carry out an extensive sweep of the river assisted by Environment Waikato.

At this time, a decision has been made to scale down the search and re evaluate the situation in the coming days.

Police and Zharian’s family are grateful for the assistance of the local community who turned out in force to assist with the search.

Police remain committed to locating Zharian and any calls relating to this matter are to be directed to the Huntly Police.

Auckland.Scoop – February 11
A teenage boy appears to have drowned yesterday after jumping from a bridge into the Waikato River in Huntly. The search for his body continued today, without success. Radio New Zealand reports that 30 boats were used in today’s search.

News from NZ Police – February 10
At about 5.30pm this evening, police were alerted to a 13 year old boy missing in the Waikato River, Huntly. The boy and his friends had been jumping from a bridge over the Waikato River when the missing boy failed to resurface.

Police and Fire Brigade personnel responded and initiated an extensive search of the river and its banks. Boats and the Eagle Helicopter were deployed. However the boy has not been located.

The search will continue tonight until dark tonight and be restarted in the morning.

February 13:
Boy’s body found