Police say a man who got tangled in a driveshaft on a boat, suffered a horrific death.
He was with two others on the Waitemata Harbour when their 9-metre vessel struck rocks in the Motuihe Channel at about 1.30am on Wednesday.
The man lifted floorboards to inspect the damage but his clothing became caught and tangled in the boat's moving driveshaft, pulling him under the incoming water.
Sergeant John Saunders says the man, who was in his 60s, became wedged and could not be freed until the vessel was towed to shore.
The boat had to be lifted so water could be drained to retrieve the body.
Sergeant Saunders says this type of accident is rare.
Next of kin are still being located.
