Police have released the names of the four Tongan men who died when the fishing vessel 'Francie' capsized in Auckland’s Kaipara Harbour on Saturday November 26.

New Zealand Police confirmed them as ‘Alipate Afeaki Manumu’a (33), Tevita Natisolo Tangi (31), Fonua Amanu Taufa (42) and Sunia Ungounga (43). Their bodies were recovered from the sea and shoreline over the weekend.

Three others who lost their lives in the maritime tragedy were named as Cook Islanders Fred Marsters (58) and Auerua Ngametuaangai Aria (59). One man who remains missing is a Samoan, Taulagi Afamasaaga (56), presumed drowned.

All the men were Pacific Islanders, except for the skipper William McNatty. whose body was recovered.

Today the search for the missing man is expected to involve the use of quad bikes to allow a search of the northern tip of the South Head. On Monday, November 28 Police 4-wheel drive vehicles conducted a further shoreline search which continued into the evening.

"Police family liaison officers have been assigned to the families of each of the men, and these officers continue to work closely with the families," New Zealand Police stated.

Fishing tragedy

The men were a group of friends who liked fishing together and had chartered the 'Francie' a 12m boat, which was owned and skippered by McNatty.

The 'Francie' was reported missing at 3.30pm on November 26, after the boat failed to make a scheduled radio contact. Eleven people were on board near the harbour's treacherous bar crossing, in swells of 1.5m and heavy winds, in the harbour located north west of Auckland.