Rāhui in place at Waipū after woman’s death near river mouth

Coastguard teams searching for a missing woman near the mouth of the Waipū River in Northland. Photo / Coastguard

A rāhui has been put in place at Waipū after the death of a woman at the mouth of the local river.

The woman’s body was found by Coastguard volunteers around midday yesterday.

Her friends had raised the alarm around midnight on Friday after seeing her enter the water but not return.

Patuharakeke kaumātua have placed a rāhui at Waipū, which extends from Waipū Boat Club out to the mouth of the Waipū River, and from Uretiti – Tip Rd to Waipū Cove, extending out 5km seaward.

“As a sign of respect, the community is asked to refrain from ocean-based activities in this area at this time,” a police spokesperson said.

The rāhui would be in place until midday on Wednesday.

Waipū Cove Surf Live Saving Club said its events would be postponed today and there would be no patrol flags up, though lifeguards would still be present.

“Our hearts go out to all who are grieving this loss,” the club said.

A Coastguard aircraft (red track) and boat (orange) spent hours searching for the woman off the coast of Waipū on Saturday. Photo / Coastguard

The surf life-saving club and Coastguard Whangārei began a search around 12.40am yesterday morning and scoured the area until 3am. The search resumed at 8am yesterday and the woman’s body was found just after midday.

The death will be referred to a coroner.

Sign up to the Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.