Police say the search for a diver who was reported missing at Titahi Bay in Porirua, then later turned up in Hawke's Bay, is likely to have cost as much as $50,000.
About 40 people were involved in the operation to find Colin Smithies, 49, who was reported missing on Monday night.
He handed himself in Hawke's Bay on Wednesday at a police station at Clive.
Mr Smithies has been charged with wasting police time and could face a maximum penalty of three months in prison.
