Rāhui in place following Taupō jetski incident, police divers to search for missing person

A rāhui is in place and police divers are set to search for a missing jetskier in Lake Taupō, with reports of a struggle in the water before the person disappeared.

Senior Sergeant Andy Livingstone, of Taupō police, said they received a report of a person or people on a jetski in trouble on Lake Taupō off Acacia Bay about 12.40pm on Sunday.

In a post online, Nikuhau Marae announced a rāhui is in force on a section of the lake near where the incident took place.

“At approximately 8.45pm, Sunday, January 19, 2025, a rāhui was placed from the pūau down past Paenoa Te Ākau to Te Moenga Bay Boat Ramp near the Acacia Bay shops,” it says.

The jetskier is missing on Lake Taupō.

The rāhui was enacted as a result of the jetski incident and the missing person.

The marae will be working with the whānau and the police to determine the length of the rāhui.

“Please observe the rāhui and refrain from swimming, fishing or kai-gathering in the marked area until further notice.”

A police spokesman said yesterday one person made it to shore with assistance from police and Taupō Coastguard, but another is still missing.

“A second person sadly did not and was last seen struggling in the water,” he said.

The Police National Dive Squad has been advised and is expected to search the lake today.

“Tūwharetoa Maori Trust Board has been advised and local hapū are assisting to support those involved.”