Alesana Seneka drowned at Papamoa Beach on Tuesday after trying to retrieve cray pots from the water. His family say his death was "something we didn't expect to happen."

The uncle of a drowned toddler asks if the tragedy would have occurred if the local council was pushed harder to erect a fence.

The distraught survivor of a fishing tragedy spoke last night of desperately trying to keep his brother-in-law's head above water before losing his grip and watching him drown.

Two people have drowned at popular North Island coastal areas this afternoon and two others are missing.