'It's not an easy place to get out of'

The cliff over which teenagers in the student group were jumping yesterday before the 16-year-old's accident. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Long-serving North Shore politician George Wood said a popular Takapuna swimming spot was dangerous - especially when swimmers jumped into the crater lake from the quarry cliff.

There have been two other drownings in Lake Pupuke in the past six years, 20-year-old Sione Moala after diving from the cliff in 2004, and Tevaka Papa in the lake in 2008.

"I've swam in it years ago," said Mr Wood. "It seems to have very little buoyancy and unfortunately it takes a long time to come up."

The North Shore councillor and former mayor said the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board would probably look at solutions for a "very sorry" situation.

"Where we go from here, I'm not sure, but I think it will be something water safety will want to look at," said Mr Wood.

The large area of the lake meant it would be difficult to fence off and he did not know whether signs would be the answer.

Lake Pupuke is a heart-shaped body of fresh water filling an old volcanic crater between the North Shore suburbs of Takapuna and Milford.

The lake is up to 57m deep in parts.

Mr Wood warned against swimming in the lake unless you were a good swimmer and prepared to navigate the dangerous waters.

"They have to be more mindful. It's not an easy place to get out of."