A diver has died in an accident north of Auckland.

A distress signal was sent late yesterday when the man came to the surface in North Channel, just off Kawau Island.

He unconscious and unresponsive.

Coastguard spokesman Hemi Manaena said the boat Kawau Rescue was on the scene quickly.

"He was having a day out on the water and it appears that he had been diving, but [we are] unsure as to what exactly happened."

Kawau Rescue took him to Vivian Bay, where he was met by a Westpac Rescue helicopter team.

Manaena said paramedics performed CPR on the man for some time.

"Unfortunately the gentleman never recovered consciousness and he passed away at Vivian Bay."

Police say the man was a 49-year-old New Zealander, who'd been living in Australia.