Karioitahi Beach drowning

The story so far

A 26-year-old man died after getting into trouble in the water at Karioitahi Beach on Monday night, 8 December.^{9, 15 Dec 2025} Police and Surf Life Saving teams responded around 7.10pm to reports of two men struggling to return to shore, and the man was reportedly caught in a rip tide.^{9 Dec 2025} He had been visiting the beach with his brother and two friends, and an Auckland Rescue Helicopter crew was called to the scene. Local iwi placed a rāhui at the beach.^{9, 15 Dec 2025}

Latest

Police have now identified the man who died, and he is named in their statement.^{15 Dec 2025}

Key moments

1. 9 Dec 2025Man dies after getting into trouble in the water at Karioitahi Beach.
2. 9 Dec 2025Death linked to a rip tide; local iwi place a rāhui on the beach.
3. 15 Dec 2025Police identify the man who died; Rescue Helicopter had been called to the scene.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.