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."

Richie McCaw aka the man who can do everything takes a turn on a South Island lake. Video / Richie McCaw via Facebook

Stills from footage taken by a Piha local of 'extremely rough' conditions when a group of eight teens were taken into a rip by a surfing instructor.

The national drowning toll for the first two months of the year rose to 35, after 15 drownings in February.