Raglan fisherman missing at Papanui Point

The story so far

A person was seen falling into the sea at Papanui Point, a Waikato fishing spot near Raglan, on a Monday morning around 9.45am, and multiple agencies began a search.^{25 Aug 2025} Search and Rescue teams and the Raglan Volunteer Coastguard were involved, and the search was still ongoing on Tuesday morning.^{26 Aug 2025} On Tuesday the coroner called for urgent law changes to make lifejackets compulsory for rock fishers.^{27 Aug 2025} The recommendation followed the deaths of three men at Papanui Point, none of whom were wearing lifejackets, and at least 24 people have died at the spot.^{27 Aug 2025}

Latest

The coroner has recommended urgent law changes making lifejackets compulsory for rock fishers, after three men died at Papanui Point without wearing them.^{27 Aug 2025}

Key moments

1. 25 Aug 2025Person seen falling into the sea at Papanui Point; multi-agency search begins.
2. 26 Aug 2025Search continues into Tuesday morning after person fell off rocks.
3. 27 Aug 2025Coroner recommends compulsory lifejackets for rock fishers after three deaths.

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