Family 'still in shock'

Jarod Lineses whose body was found after he was taken in rip at 90 Mile Beach. Photo / Supplied

The family of a 16-year-old Auckland schoolboy who died after being caught in a rip in Northland have gathered at home with friends to remember him.

Jarod Lineses was swimming at Ninety Mile Beach on December 27 when he disappeared, caught in the undertow. Members of the public discovered his body on Thursday night, ending a five-day search.

Last night, his distraught father Randy and mother Connie were at home in Auckland, trying to make sense of the tragedy.

Mr Lineses said he was coping but did not know what else to say.

"They're still traumatised and they're still in a state of shock," family friend Belen Caballes said.

She said the Lineses family moved to New Zealand from the Philippines about eight years ago.

Ms Caballes said Jarod loved New Zealand and his school, Rosmini College in Takapuna.

Yesterday a man died after saving two children who were swept out to sea at a beach in South Taranaki. Emergency services were called to Patea Beach just after 4pm after reports that two youngsters had been swept away.

A man, in his 30s, went to their aid and died shortly after helping them.

St John spokesman Ian Henderson said the man was given CPR, but was pronounced dead at the beach. Two girls were taken to Taranaki Hospital.