A rāhui is in place for five days along Wairarapa’s coastline following the death of a diver.
The rāhui [a form of tapu restricting access to an area] is in place from the mouth of Whareama River to the Motu Wairaka stream just north of Riversdale Beach.
The person reportedly went diving on Thursday afternoon and failed to return.
Their body was discovered early Friday morning.
A police spokesperson confirmed that a man had been located deceased after going snorkelling off the coast of Riversdale Beach yesterday afternoon.
“Police, with the assistance of Police Search and Rescue, Surf Life Saving, Wairarapa Helicopters and Westpac Rescue Helicopter, conducted searches of the area for the diver who was reported missing last night,” a spokesperson said.
“Police extend our condolences to their friends and family at this difficult time.”
Surf Life Saving New Zealand [SLSNZ] issued an official statement that confirmed its Riversdale Search and Rescue [SAR] squad was tasked by police to help search for a missing man who had been snorkelling off the coast of Riversdale Beach.
“The SAR squad responded with one surf lifeguard in the water, one inflatable rescue boat, and one land coordinator,” it said.
The SAR squad searched for about two hours before being stood down for the evening.
On Friday morning, a member of the public contacted the SLSNZ Riversdale SAR coordinator after finding the man’s body on the beach.
“SLSNZ’s thoughts are with the person’s friends and whānau during this difficult time,” the statement said.
The man’s death has been referred to the coroner.
