A rāhui is in place on a stretch of Mount Maunganui Beach after a person was pulled from the water overnight.

Police and other emergency services were called to the beach about 6.10pm after reports that a man had been pulled from the water unconscious.

Despite resuscitation efforts, the man died at the scene, police said.

The death is expected to be referred to the coroner.

A bystander said she saw a big crowd of people on the dunes overlooking the beach.

Surf Lifesaving NZ (SLSNZ) Eastern region lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell said an off-duty Mount Maunganui lifeguard came across the man near Hart St when emergency services were already present.

Other lifeguards were called to assist, but they were not needed.

Hato Hone St John sent an ambulance, a rapid response unit, and an operations manager.

Gibbons-Campbell said iwi have placed a rāhui (access restriction) on Mount Maunganui beach from Leisure Island to Omanu Surf Club and ask the public to stay out of the water until it is lifted.

The rāhui extends from the ocean opposite Clyde Street on the western side through to the ocean opposite the Marine Parade/Tweed Street roundabout on the eastern side, Ngāi Tūkairangi Hapū Trust, Chairperson Riri Ellis said in a statement.

Gathering of shellfish and kaimoana from within this area is forbidden and all water sports and other water activities are discouraged during the period of the rāhui.

Ellis said the rāhui will be in place for one week and would be reviewed at the end of that period.

There were strong currents and big swells at Mount Maunganui beach on Wednesday evening. Photo / Alex Cairns

He said the man was pulled from the water during low tide while there were “really strong currents”.

He said the bigger waves were about 1.5 metres.

“We’re finding that two hours either side of low tide is when the currents are really pulling off those banks. People are walking out when it’s shallow initially, then they step off into a deeper part of the ocean and get swept out.”

He advised the public, “if in doubt, stay out”, as lifeguards are not on patrol at the moment.

Bijou Johnson is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. A passionate writer and reader, she grew up in Tauranga and developed a love for journalism while exploring various disciplines at university. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Massey University.