Three people have died in separate water-related incidents across the North Island on Tuesday afternoon.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Earlier this afternoon, a person died after getting into difficulty while in water at Wenderholm Regional Park, north of Auckland.
CPR was provided at the scene but the person has died.
The death will be referred to the Coroner.
Later, a child drowned at Kai Iwi Lakes in Northland.
A rescue helicopter was dispatched after police received a report of the incident shortly after 2.10pm.
The child was found unresponsive. Police said despite efforts of the public to revive the child and paramedics performing CPR, the child had died.
Emergency services were at the scene and the death will be referred to the coroner.
Police also confirmed a 28-year-old man died while swimming in the Waingaro River, west of Ngāruawāhia in Waikato this afternoon.
Police said the swimmer was reported missing to emergency services just before 1.45pm.
Fire and Emergency had dispatched a jetski to search the river and St John Ambulance was also in attendance.
He was later found and despite attempts to resuscitate him, he died at the scene.
Police said they were making inquires in relation to the death on behalf of the coroner, who will release their findings in due course.
Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Daniel Gerrard said the spike in water-related deaths followed low drowning rates during lockdowns.
He is urging people to think before they swim and keep safety front of mind.
