Piha Beach, west of Auckland City, is notorious for its challenging conditions for swimmers and surfers (file photo). Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A body has been found at Piha Beach, and desperate resuscitation attempts failed, after the police helicopter joined a search for a person swept away.
At about 12:30pm on Boxing Day, emergency services were told a person had been washed away by waves and was missing, police said in a statement.
"The Police Eagle [helicopter] was deployed to help locate the person," they said.
"Sadly they were located and confirmed deceased around 1:20pm."
Surf Life Saving NZ said lifeguards at the beach had performed CPR, followed by St John paramedics when they arrived, but the person could not be revived.
The death would be referred to the coroner.
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