Joseph Ahuriri's disappearance has been added to an inquest looking at deaths associated with Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary Floods, in early 2023

Open Justice reports Coroner Erin Woolley has been considering the deaths of 18 people.

When hearings resumed in Hastings yesterday, Ahuriri's name was put on the list.

The 40-year-old was last seen at a fuel stop in Bay View, north of Napier, in the early hours of February 14 - just as Gabrielle was hammering the east coast regions.

Police have previously said they didn't believe the father-of-eight's disappearance - was cyclone-related.