Local Māori have placed a rāhui on part of Lake Taupō following the suspected drowning of a jetskier on Sunday.

Taupō Police Senior Sergeant Andy Livingstone said they received a report around 12.40pm on Sunday of a person or people on a jetski in trouble.

"While one person and the jetski made it to shore with assistance from Police and Taupō Coastguard, a second person sadly did not, and was last seen struggling in the water," Livingstone said on Sunday afternoon."

An initial search was undertaken by the National Dive Squad, a drone operator and search and rescue staff on Sunday.

The dive squad will continue to search today and a police drone operator will survey the area.

He said Tūwharetoa Maori Trust Board had been advised and local hapū were assisting to support those involved.

On Sunday night, Nukuhau Marae said it had placed a rāhui on the surrounding area from 8.45pm.

It covered "from the pūau down past Paenoa Te Ākau to Te Moenga Bay Boat Ramp near the Acacia Bay shops".

The marae said it would "work with the whānau pani and the police to determine the length of the rāhui".

"Please observe the rāhui and refrain from swimming, fishing or kai gathering in the marked area until further notice."

-RNZ