The search for a man missing in the Waikato River is continuing following a deadly day at New Zealand beaches and rivers.

Police were called to the river near Graham Island, in Hamilton, at about 3.30pm yesterday after a report of a struggling swimmer being swept downstream.

The man remains missing this morning, with police confirming search teams will continue to look for him today.

It comes after a spate of water-related incidents across New Zealand yesterday, which left two people dead, one missing and another fighting for their life.

A day of water tragedies

The incidents occurred in Canterbury, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Mahurangi East, north of Auckland.

Another person is in a serious condition after being pulled from the water in the Tasman district.

The incidents come amid a slew of heat warnings issued, with temperatures hitting the 30s in some regions, drawing thousands of Kiwis to rivers and beaches.

Ruakākā Surf Lifesaving Club.

A person died after a water incident at a popular Canterbury tourist spot yesterday afternoon.

Police were notified at about 1.15pm that a person had been pulled from the water by the harbourmaster at Akaroa on Banks Peninsula.

Police said emergency services were also called at about 2.55pm to a location off Poripori Rd in the Bay of Plenty, where a person had been pulled from the water.

“CPR was commenced, however they sadly died at the scene. The death will be referred to the coroner.”

Water safety advice

Water Safety New Zealand chief executive, Glen Scanlon, urged people to keep in mind the key messages around water safety at this busy time.

“What we tend to see is so often those hot, calm days when people find themselves unexpectedly in more trouble because the conditions look so good,” Scanlon said.

He advised Kiwis to never swim or dive alone in any of New Zealand’s water environments.

“If you’re at a patrolled beach, please swim between the flags. Take advantage of the great surf lifesavers and the job they do to keep you safe.

“Please, if you’re fishing from land or from a boat as well, wear a lifejacket. It’s going to keep you really super safe.

“If you’ve got your kids, always stay close to them,” Scanlon said.