Emergency services are responding to a water-related incident in the area of a popular swimming hole in the Bay of Plenty this evening.
A police spokesperson said they were notified of a “water-related incident” in the Wairoa River near Poripori Rd, Lower Kaimai, about 6.15pm.
“Further information will be released when we are in a position to do so.”
Hato Hone St John and Fire and Emergency New Zealand referred all questions to police.
The Herald understands the incident took place near the widely-known freshwater Pori Pori swimming hole – a hotspot for locals and visitors of the Bay of Plenty during summer.
The swimming hole is surrounded by rocks and forest and contains multiple small, shallow rock pools for swimming and exploring. The swimming hole itself is deep and visitors often jump into it off high rocks.
'This is a court of law, it’s not a court of morals,' the man's lawyer told a court.