Three people have drowned in less than six hours across New Zealand.
Police have reported drowings in the Wellington, Auckland and Bay of Plenty regions as summer kicks into full swing across New Zealand.
A swimmer died during a swim in the Hutt River in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
A police spokesperson said officers were called to Kaitoke Regional Park, Upper Hutt, at around 12:15am after the swimmer failed to surface during a swim in the river.
The swimmer was brought in from the water and medical attention was administered, however they were pronounced dead at the scene.
The death will be referred to the Coroner and a blessing of the site will take place later on Tuesday.
Another person died in what police are describing as a "water incident" in Pukekohe, south Auckland.
Police said in a statement they were called to the incident at an address around 9:30pm on Monday.
The person was pulled from the water and given medical attention but they died at the scene.
A third person drowned in the Bay of Plenty.
Police said in a statement officers were called to the incident at Cape Runaway, Ōpōtiki, at around 7pm Monday.
A man was pulled from the water and medical attention was provided, however, he sadly died at the scene.
According to Water Safety NZ, 90 New Zealanders drowned in 2021 - the worst year for drowning fatalities since 2011.
Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Daniel Gerrard told Newshub summer is notorious for deaths on our water.
As beachgoers chose to celebrate their holiday festivities in the sun, many beaches saw swimmers getting caught out by the conditions, and becoming stuck in rip currents.
Surf lifesavers in the Northern Region said in a statement they conducted a total of 15 rescues and 12 assists at Northern Region beaches across the weekend and Boxing Day.
On Christmas day, a father of three died after a canoe he got for Christmas capsized on a Christchurch lake.
The advice from experts is to wear a life jacket and always go with a buddy.
"If in doubt, stay out!" Surf Life Saving NZ said.
