A few weeks ago, we saw this big police boat out searching the area. The police helicopter spent a couple of days flying around as well.

About the same time, the call went out for help locating a young man who’d gone missing. He was last seen entering the walkway just next to our property, and some of his stuff was found on the path. His parents appealed for any information, but nobody had seen him since.

Ten days later, his body washed up on the beach. There’s been no hint of foul play, or anyone else being involved, so we’ll probably never know how or exactly why he ended up in the water.

The local Māori caretakers put a “rahui”, or prohibition, on the beach for some days after. That’s passed now, and people have returned.

Life goes on for the rest of us, but feels just that tiny bit more fragile, and more precious.