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."

A Wanaka man who sunk out of sight last night after falling off a yacht on Lake Wanaka is presumed dead.

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.