Rahui as police inquiry continues

Flowers have been placed on the banks of the Turanganui River where a man was pulled from the water last Thursday night. Strenuous efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. A rahui is in place on the city rivers until Friday. Picture by Paul Rickard

A rahui has been placed on the city rivers after a man was found in the Turanganui River last Thursday night.

He died as a result of an apparent drowning.

Police have yet to release the name of the man as they are still in the process of  notifying all next of kin.

Police officers who were called to the scene at around 8.20pm last Thursday pulled the man from the river.

The 64-year-old failed to respond to lengthy attempts to revive him. It is understood he was part of the city’s homeless community.

Police said yesterday they were continuing their inquiry into the circumstances  involved on behalf of the Coroner.

A post-mortem examination was carried out at the weekend.

The rahui will be in place until Friday.

A notice on behalf of Ngati Oneone, Te Whanau a iwi and Ngai Tawhiri says there is to be no fishing or swimming in the Turanganui, Taruheru and Waimata rivers until that day. Waka ama paddlers are also observing the rahui.