Police have named the diver who collapsed affer leaving the water at a bay north of Gisborne.
Wiremu Tuakana Teneti-Northover of Outer Kaiti surfaced from a dive at Anaura Bay on Sunday and collapsed.
The 54-year-old was initially found unconscious, then suffering cardiac arrest just before 9.50am, a St John Ambulance spokeswoman said at the time.
"Despite the efforts of the Fire Service and ambulance he could not be revived," police said.
The death has been referred to the Coroner.