A man has died after a water incident at Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) near Rotorua.

Police were called about 10.30pm on Friday about a report of a man who had not returned from a swim.

The man’s body was located shortly after 1am on Saturdaypolice said today.

“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

The man’s death has been referred to the Coroner.

On Saturday, area commander Inspector Herby Ngawhika joined kaumātua from Tūhourangi iwi at Lake Tikitapu for karakia to observe tikanga in lifting the tapu off the lake and restoring the wairua of the area.

In a post on Facebook this morning, the Tuhourangi Tribal Authority passed on its condolences to the man’s family.

“We organised for Te Mauri Kingi and Te Maiora Rurehe to conduct karakia,” the post said.

“E rere ana ngā mihi aroha ki te whānau pani, our condolences are with the family.”

The authority advised people to be “vigilant and keep safe”.

Owner of Blue Lake TOP 10 Holiday Park, Kelsi Hira, offered her condolences to the man’s family and friends.

She declined to comment further.

The man’s death comes after a spate of spate of water tragedies on Saturday afternoon around New Zealand.

Two people died, one was missing another was left fighting for their life after incidents on Saturday afternoon.

The incidents occurred in Canterbury, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Mahurangi East, and north of Auckland.

Another person in a serious condition after being pulled from the water in the Tasman District on Saturday.

Police said emergency services including helicopter, fire brigade, ambulance and police were called about 2.55pm on Saturday to a location off Poripori Rd in the Lower Kaimai Range, Bay of Plenty, where a person had been pulled from the water.

“CPR was commenced, however they sadly died at the scene. The death will be referred to the coroner.”

The incidents came amid a slew of heat warnings over the weekend, with temperatures hitting the 30s in some regions.

Water safety advice

Water Safety New Zealand chief executive, Glen Scanlon, urged people to keep in mind the key messages around water safety at this busy time.

“What we tend to see is so often those hot, calm days when people find themselves unexpectedly in more trouble because the conditions look so good,” Scanlon said.

He advised Kiwis to never swim or dive alone in any of New Zealand’s water environments.

“If you’re at a patrolled beach, please swim between the flags. Take advantage of the great surf lifesavers and the job they do to keep you safe.

“Please, if you’re fishing from land or from a boat as well, wear a lifejacket. It’s going to keep you really super safe.

“If you’ve got your kids, always stay close to them,” Scanlon said.