The wife of missing instructor Bryce Jourdain has spoken publicly for the first time.
Robyn Jourdain today expressed her gratitude to everyone involved in the search for her husband, Bryce John Jourdain, 42, who has been missing since Wednesday afternoon.
Jourdain, along with Spotswood College students Stephen Lewis Kahukaka-Gedye and Joao Felipe Martins De Melo, both 17, failed to surface after falling into the Tasman Sea off the coast of New Plymouth during a rock-climbing expedition.
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Eleven Year 13 students from the Taranaki Outdoor Pursuit Education Centre (TOPEC) were on the rock-climbing exercise at Paritutu Rock when three students fell into the water.
One of the students managed to cling onto a rock and was winched to safety by the Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter.
New Plymouth local Bryce Jourdain dived into the turbulent sea to help and today Robyn Jourdain described her husband as an "amazing dad".
"Bryce is the most amazing Dad to Isaac and Grace. Our children mean the world to us. Bryce you are my rock, we love you," she said.
She told reporters about the last time she saw her husband, and how he told her "you mean everything to me and I''ll see you tonight."
She also expressed her gratitude for the support she has received.
"I'd like to thank everybody for the huge amount of support, love and care we are being shown at this time," she said.
"We would also like to thank everyone involved in the search for Bryce, Felipe and Stephen. We know they are doing their job to the highest standard, exactly like Bryce would have done in his work."
Earlier this afternoon, the father of Kahukaka-Gedye, Bruce Gedye, also thanked the search and rescue teams working to find his son.
"On behalf of our family, we would like to thank all of those involved in the search for Stephen, Felipe and Bryce.
"We are hearing stories of people who are using their own boats and canoes to search. So many people are asking how they can help, including people we don't even know. Your kindness is hugely appreciated."
Gedye says the family is especially grateful for everyone who turned out to last night's vigil at Paritutu Rock, to all volunteers and the emergency service personnel and to staff and students at Spotswood College.
"Your thoughts and words spoken there last night are appreciated," he said.
"Please keep trying and let's hope we can bring Stephen, Felipe and Bryce home."
Meanwhile, family of missing Brazilian student Felipe Melo arrived in New Zealand today.
His father, Celio Melo said his family remain optimistic.
"We are very optimistic at this time. Felipe is a great athlete and a survivor. We want to thank everyone in New Zealand especially those involved in the search and rescue of our son," he said through a translator today.