Earlier that morning a man drowned at a lake near a beach southwest of Auckland.
Emergency services were called to Lake Puketiī, near Karioitahi Beach, just before 11am.
Surf lifeguards were alerted by a member of the public that four people were in trouble in the water. Three in the group were able to return to shore on their own but the fourth was unable to be revived at the scene.
St John Ambulance yesterday said they also treated a second person who was pulled from the water. That person was in a moderate condition.
The drowning happened at a lifeguarded beach outside patrol hours.
Surf Lifesaving New Zealand said while the death would be referred to the Coroner the organisation's coastal safety team would work with emergency services to establish the circumstances.
As the tragedies unfolded the body of a teenager was recovered from Lake Arapuni on the Waikato River.
Police received a report about 8.25pm on Tuesday that a man had gone into the water at the Jones River Landing area and had not returned.
A couple of men had tried to keep the 18-year-old afloat but were unsuccessful.
An evening search failed to find him with the police national dive squad taking to the water the next day where they recovered the missing swimmer.
A day earlier a young girl drowned on Lake Rotokawau near Rotorua.
The child was believed to be just 4.
A police media spokeswoman said police were alerted to the incident about 4.35pm on Monday and confirmed a young girl had died.
A rāhui has been placed on the lake from early this morning until further notice.
On Saturday the body of the man was found in the Otara River, near the end of Ford St in Ōpōtiki, about 6.40pm.
Police said initial indications pointed to the death resulted from a jet-ski incident on the river.
The Otara River is about 35km long and reaches the sea at Ōpōtiki in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
A day earlier on January 1, Reece Nahana John Thomas, 36, died following a water incident in the sea at Kaikōura.
Police said they were called to the beach around 11am near Edmund Ave to reports a man had gone into the water and not resurfaced.
Volunteers from Coastguard Kaikōura helped retrieved his body and take him back to shore where police and ambulance staff took over.
Water Safety New Zealand is appealing to all people to make wise decisions around water.
"We know Kiwis will continue to enjoy our beautiful waterways as the warm weather continues. We need everyone to take responsibility and think about water safety," said spokeswoman Sheridan Bruce.
"While our waterways are our playground they can be incredibly unforgiving."
Key safety messages included always taking a buddy, swimming between the flags at patrolled beaches, constant active adult supervision of children around water at all times, watching out for rips and always wearing a lifejacket on boats and while fishing from rocks or net fishing.
Surf Life Saving northern region head of operations Alan Gibson reiterated calls for people to take basic precautions to ensure day outings did not end in tragedy.
"We are asking if people go rock fishing that they wear a life jacket and tell someone where they are going," said Gibson.
"If they are bathing, just to never swim alone and if you get caught in a rip to ride it out and put their hand in the air and seek lifeguard assistance."
Bystanders who witness people in strife in the water should dial 111 or get the attention of lifeguards if they were on a patrolled shoreline, Gibson said.
"Sadly, in New Zealand, a lot of bystander rescues end up in a double or single tragedy for the person who is entering the water to save someone else."
Last year 69 people drowned in New Zealand. The majority of deaths happened in the upper half of the North Island.
Beach Safety Messages
1. Choose a beach with lifeguards and swim between the flags
2. Read and understand the safety signs - ask a lifeguard for advice as conditions can change regularly
3. Don't overestimate your ability or your children's ability to cope in the conditions
4. Always keep a very close eye on young children in or near the water - keep them within arm's reach at all times
5. Get a friend to swim with you - never swim or surf alone
6. Watch out for rip currents, they can carry you away from shore. If caught in a rip current, RELAX and float, RAISE your hand to signal for help, RIDE the rip until it stops and you can swim safely back to shore. Remember - nobody is stronger than a rip.
7. Be smart around rocks: When fishing, never turn your back towards the sea and always wear a lifejacket
8. If in doubt, stay out!
9. If you see someone in trouble, call 111 and ask for Police
10. Be sun smart – Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap. Protect your skin and eyes from the sun's damaging rays
