It has been a dangerous summer in the water so far with three people drowning since Christmas Day and another drowning in Christchurch on Sunday. Said Surf Life Saving NZ: "Our thoughts are with the man's family and friends at this time." Surf Life Saving NZ said its team will work with emergency services to establish the circumstances of the incident. On Christmas Day, two people died in the water. One person in Northland could not be revived after being found unresponsive in the water at Kai Iwi Lakes.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 26, 2019 22:07 UTC