A one-year-old boy is dead after drowning in a pond in Kumeu northwest of Auckland last night.

Police were called by ambulance services to a residential address on Matua Rd about 8pm.

It was understood a search had been underway before the toddler was found.

Inspector Peter Raynes of police northern communications said the child was found in "tragic circumstances".

"The child was soon located by a family member in a nearby pond and was unresponsive," police said in a statement.

"Attempts were made to resuscitate the child, however they were unsuccessful.

"At this stage there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident and the death is being treated as a tragic accident."

The child was transported to Starship Hospital in a critical condition.

More details would be released in this morning, Mr Raynes said.