Concerned locals and family members have gathered at Boyce Park in Kawerau while a helicopter, police and ambulance are carrying out a rescue operation for two people missing in the Tarawera River. 

People nearby were waiting anxiously for updates on the people involved. 

Immediate family were waiting by the river and one young girl was in tears. 

“Not good, bro,” some onlookers were heard saying, as the situation unfolded. 

Emergency services were notified about 11.30am of two people having gone into the river and not returning. 

Police said staff are on the scene working to locate them, with Fire and Emergency New Zealand. 

Fire and Emergency said two crews from Kawerau and two from Edgecumbe are in attendance, including “approximately 15 firefighters”. 

Emergency services were notified of two people having gone into the Tarawera River near Boyce Park and not returning. Photo / Annabel Reid 

Hato Hone St John said it was notified at 11.34am of a “potential water incident” at Manukorihi Drive, Kawerau. 

“One ambulance, a first response unit, an operations manager and a rapid response unit are on scene and a helicopter is en route,” a St John spokesperson said. 

A rescue operation is underway for a person missing in Tarawera River, Kawerau. Photo / Google Earth 

A woman who works near the Tarawera River on Manukorihi Drive said she wasn’t aware of what was going on, but they had all been told to stay inside. 

“We’ve got police down the street, and they have blocked the street.” 

The woman, who did not want to be named, said there were two fire engines, five police cars and three ambulances in the area. 

A rescue operation is underway in Kawerau after two people went missing in the Tarawera River. Photo / Annabel Reid 

“We have no idea what is going on. We’ve just been told to stay in our buildings.” 

She said the police were stopping people from going out on the street. 

A helicopter at Boyce Park near where a rescue operation is underway. Photo / Annabel Reid 

“They stopped all the trucks.” 

“The police look very busy; they are just stopping people from going into the street.” 

Another woman who works in the area said she saw a helicopter landing near the river. 

More to come ...