Rāhui placed on Lake Rotokawau after drowning

A karakia was officiated at the lake this morning. Photo / File

A rāhui has been placed on Lake Rotokawau near Rotorua after a young girl drowned yesterday.

Ngāti Rangiteaorere Koromatua Council co-chairman Dr Ken Kennedy said a karakia had been officiated at the lake early this morning by himself and Lake Rotokawau trustees Rangimahuta Wiringi-Easthope and Herbert Hapeta.

A rāhui has been placed on the lake from early this morning until further notice.

Kennedy said he believed the child was 4.

An aerial view of Lake Rotokawau near Rotorua. Photo / File

In Māori culture, a rāhui is a form of tapu restricting access to, or use of, an area or resource by the kaitiakitanga of the area.

A police media spokeswoman said police were alerted to the incident about 4.35pm yesterday and confirmed a young girl had died. Her death will be referred to the Coroner.