A harsh reminder to be safe around the water this summer after a drowning on Hawke's Bay's Haumoana Beach.

Taupo woman Amy Brown drowned on Tuesday, after entering the water to help two children who were in strife.

Police found her body yesterday, just metres from where she went missing.

READ MORE: Nearly drowned - 'I thought my little girl might be gone'

Locals say the water in that area is calm but there are snags underneath it.

Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Jonty Mills said it's a natural human instinct to try and help people.

"Particularly where there is a child involved and importantly you need to understand the risks and know your own limits.

"Sadly in most cases the rescuer is the one who drown and those who were in trouble survived."

Mills said people should always try and swim at patrolled beaches.

He said children need to be especially careful.

"Really importantly those toddlers and those under fives specifically, it's that constant, active adult supervision and keeping those toddlers at arm's length is really important."