The two people killed after being swept off rocks in Muriwai were a refugee couple who came to New Zealand from Burma.
Kay Dah Ukay, 48, and his wife Mu Thu Pa, 50, fell into the ocean around 2pm on Monday while they were rock-fishing with their three youngest children.
Mr Ukay died in the water and Ms Pa was pulled to the shore still breathing, but passed away shortly afterwards.
Forty people attended a blessing held at the beach for the couple on Tuesday morning.
Their daughter Dah Htoo Ukay, 25, told NZME her father had slipped on rocks as he tried to bring in a large fish.
"When they went fishing they got a big fish and tried to take it out," she said. "He was slipping on the rock and fell in the water.
"My mother also tried to hold the rod. My younger sister tried to grab my mother, but she fell in the water too."
The couple's son Jay Ukay, 9, was there and called for help. A witness called 111 and a helicopter and ambulance arrived quickly, but it was too late.
Lifeguards responded within 8 minutes, as there are no on duty lifeguards on the beach during the off season.
Friend of the family Myet Shwu told Newshub the children have been left shocked by their parents' death.
"They're quite young. They can't make the decision about what's going on, what they have to do," he said.
"They have no family members here, no relatives here."
The Burmese community is rallying around the children and trying to organise a funeral for the couple.
The bodies were taken to Auckland City Hospital where their children were able to see them, NZME reports.
There were two preventable drownings at Muriwai in 2017 and in the last five years 11 people have drowned after being swept off rocks around New Zealand coasts.
Lifesaving New Zealand says they're working on a campaign to improve the safety of rock-fishing.
It's urging people to always wear life jackets and appropriate footwear on the rocks and be aware of conditions before heading out.
Monday's incident brings this year's drowning total to 43.
A Givealittle page has been set up to raise money to support the family.
Newshub.
