A woman's body found in the water at Pilot Bay this morning has been removed from the scene and cordons have been lifted.
A police spokeswoman said Tauranga police responded to reports of a woman found dead in the water at Pilot Bay about 8.05am.
Earlier a team of police could be seen using a large blue tarpaulin to cover the body on the beach, near the water.
"Inquiries will be made into the circumstances of her death. Formal identification will also take place," the police spokeswoman said.
A reporter at the scene said the middle section of Pilot Bay had been cordoned off with police cars parked nearby.
A passerby said police arrived about 8.20am after the body had been discovered.
A couple, who requested to remain anonymous, were taking a walk along the Pilot Bay boardwalk when they noticed a body floating face down in the water about 8am.
They called police immediately after spotting it.
"We walked along the beachfront and saw a body floating three or four metres off the beach face down," the man said.
"We went down there to have a look if there was any movement. It was just someone floating."
The pair live in Tauranga and walk along the boardwalk three times every week.
The woman said she felt "a bit upset" after coming across the body.
More soon.
Lui Nifo paddled out to help with the rescue after the vessel hit a reef, the NZDF says.