Police say four people are lucky to be alive after two boats capsized on the Kawhia bar in Waikato today and are praising two local boaties and two commercial vessels for their quick rescue.

One man is dead after a jet boat collided with a marker buoy in Tauranga Harbour this afternoon.

Eight people hurt in a collision between two boats in the Marlborough Sounds yesterday have been discharged from hospital.

An elderly yachtie missing, presumed drowned, off the Far North coast did everything wrong and was an accident waiting to happen, say police.

A missing yachtie presumed drowned should not have sailed because his boat was probably unseaworthy, marine experts say.

A teenager who allegedly ran over another on his jetski has been helping in the search for his missing schoolmate.

The dangers on the water are the same as on the roads, so boaties should be licensed just like drivers, says the Pauanui-Tairua harbourmaster.

The search for a teenage boy presumed dead after a jetski accident continues today while family hold a non-stop vigil.

This is the toll drowning has taken on New Zealand in the fortnight that the nation has been on holiday.