A New Plymouth man is dead and another had to be cut out from a car after losing control while drag racing on a rural Taranaki road last night.

Family members will be asked to identify the body found in water at the base of Paritutu Rock this morning, confirmed as being one of the trio who were swept away earlier this month.

Three people - two students, one instructor - are missing after falling into rough seas this afternoon. Photos / Rob Tucker

Lotto survey reveals most of us would keep working and not make public the news of overnight windfall.

Don't let the cold weather keep you from the royal waves.