Woman found dead after entering water near Waipu River mouth in Northland overnight

Search teams are looking near the mouth of the Waipu River in Northland. Photo / Nick Reed

A woman has been found dead after going missing in the water in Northland near the mouth of the Waipu River after a massive search effort by Coastguard and Surf Life Saving volunteers.

Emergency teams spent the morning searching for the woman after she was reported missing overnight.

The alarm was raised around midnight when the woman’s friends saw her enter the water near the mouth of the Waipu River but not return, police said.

Northland Coastguard Air Patrol's Cessna 182CGD searches for the woman off the coast near Waipu on Saturday. Photo / Coastguard

Coastguard and Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving conducted shoreline searches.

Police said she was found by volunteers from Coastguard Whangārei around midday Saturday.

Coastguard teams out searching for a missing woman near the mouth of the Waipu River in Northland. Photo / Coastguard

Her death will be referred to a coroner, police said.

A Coastguard spokeswoman said six volunteers from Coastguard Whangārei launched rescue vessel Circa Rescue at 12.40am before searching the area until 3am.

They resumed their search shortly after 8am, with the Coastguard volunteers finding the woman at 12.13pm, the spokeswoman said. Northland Coastguard Air Patrol’s Cessna was also involved in the search.

The Coastguard aircraft (red track) and boat (orange) spent hours searching for the woman off the coast of Waipu on Saturday.

“Our heartfelt thoughts are with her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. We extend our gratitude to all those involved in the search for their efforts,” the spokeswoman said.

Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.