Death of diver sparks rahui at Tora

Michael Siemonek, 49, was found dead in a shallow tidal area near the shore at Tora after he went paua diving with friends and family on Sunday.

Wairarapa Maori have banned fishing and swimming along a stretch of South Wairarapa coast where a Carterton man was found dead in shallow waters while paua diving on Sunday.

Michael Siemonek, 49, was found dead in a shallow tidal area not far from the shore at Tora about 1pm on Sunday. Senior Sergeant Mike Sutton said Mr Siemonek had been at the South Wairarapa beach with family and friends, who had found him.

The death was not being treated as suspicious although the cause of death was still unknown, and the possibility of a serious medical event had yet to be ruled out.

PJ Devonshire, chief executive of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, said that in response to the death of Mr Siemonek a traditional rahui, or restriction, had been placed on a square kilometre area stretching from the mouth of the Awhea River to Seal Point and the southern end of Stony Bay.

"The rahui pertains to swimming and the taking of shellfish in the vicinity and will be in place until Friday. Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, on behalf of Ngati Hinewaka, ask that the rahui be observed," Mr Devonshire said.

"Our thoughts are with the whanau."

Mr Siemonek was a Kuranui College old boy and had played Wairarapa representative hockey. He worked as a concrete layer and was a beloved father and grandfather.

He is survived by his partner Karen, children Megan and Kimberly, and stepchildren Robert, Jarrad, Karli and Chad.

A funeral service will be held in the Richmond Chapel in Carterton on Saturday followed by burial at the Clareville Lawn Cemetery.