Tourist who died at Kitekite Falls named

Police have named the German tourist who died at a waterfall in West Auckland yesterday.

Louis Hasenmaier, 18, had been travelling with friends, who were with him when he slipped and fell at Kitekite Falls.

"The friends managed to pull him from the water and gave CPR but despite their efforts and those of another member of the public, he was not able to be revived," police said in a statement.

More details have emerged this morning about the difficult recovery of Mr Hasenmaier's body.

Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter paramedic Russell Clark had to be winched nearly 40m from the aircraft into the scene.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter at Kitekite Falls today preparing for a 130ft winch of a person. Photo / Supplied

"It was a very risky winch," he said Russell.

"It was a dangerous location and the area I had to get down upon was roughly 2 metres.

With water still flowing and slippery rocks, it was hazardous to all involved."

Mr Clark assessed Mr Hasenmaier and confirmed he had died.

"It appeared the patient had sustained a head injury from a significant fall. He had unfortunately fallen into a rock and had been fully submerged."

He strapped the patient into a harness and the pair were winched back up to the skids of the helicopter.

Police and victim support were assisting Mr Hasenmaier's friends and family.

The Kitekite Falls are among the most renowned in the Waitakere Ranges.

There are six separate drops, 40m high in total, which culminate in a deep pool at the bottom.

The tourist's death comes a month after two teenagers died at the Hunua Falls, in the south Auckland ranges.

Peter Lemalu, 17, and Lilatoni Vetemotu, 13, drowned within nine days of each other in March.