Police officer rescues teenager from rip at Pourerere Beach
Thursday 17 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated 
A Hawke's Bay police officer rescued a teenager caught in a rip at Pourerere Beach on Tuesday afternoon. After receiving a call for help, the officer removed his uniform and gear to swim out using a borrowed boogie board. The rescue took place approximately 13 minutes after the emergency call was made.
Key facts
4 facts
- The rescue occurred at Pourerere Beach on Tuesday afternoon
- The teenager was approximately 50m from the shore when rescued
- Constable Nyge Walker performed the rescue using a boogie board
- The emergency call was received at 2.04pm
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
A police officer rescued a teenager who was being pulled out to sea by a rip at Pourerere Beach on Tuesday. The call for help was received at 2.04pm, and officers completed the rescue 13 minutes later.
Constable Nyge Walker was among the first officers to arrive at the remote beach, located over an hour's drive south of Hastings. He removed his uniform and vest, leaving them on the sand before grabbing a boogie board to enter the water.
The teenager had been pulled approximately 50m away from the shore while boogie boarding. Walker observed a distinctive rip running at a 70-degree angle from the shore, which was marked by sand being pulled out.
Because the teenager was unable to paddle, Walker towed her towards the shore until she could reach the bottom and walk out of the water. She was subsequently taken to a medical centre for assessment before being returned home.
Compiled from reports by 1News and NZ Herald.