Girl, 12, drowns at Pakiri Beach

Pakiri Beach. Photo / Paul Estcourt

A 12 year-old girl has died after drowning at Pakiri Beach, north of Auckland.

Her death brings the drowning toll to 14 since Christmas.

The girl was at Pakiri beach yesterday afternoon and was flown to Auckland hospital in a "status one" (life-threatening) condition.

She died in the early hours of this morning.

Leigh volunteer fire fighter Tony Enderby said the girl was "not looking good" when fire fighters arrived on the scene.

He said it was not clear how the girl got into trouble in the water and people standing around the girl did not seem to know how she got into trouble.

Mr Enderby said she had been in the water "for some time" but a nurse who happened to be on the beach at the time was administering CPR and a cardiologist was also seeing to her.

Mr Enderby said there was a response from the girl when paramedics administered an adrenalin shot but she had another cardiac arrest before being put into the Northern Electricity Rescue Helicopter.

The helicopter transported her to Auckland Hospital.

Pilot Pete Turnbull said the girl continued to receive CPR on the flight to Auckland.

Sergeant Kevin Brinsden said the girl's death is a tragic loss.

He said her family were by her side but unfortunately there was nothing that could be done.