The man who died on Lake Rotoiti this week had been water skiing without a lifejacket.
Police have confirmed the man in his 60s was visiting the lake on holiday with family.
Inspector Kevin Taylor from Bay of Plenty police said the man was not from the Rotorua area. However police would not release his name.
Mr Taylor said the man had been water skiing without a lifejacket.
Police divers found and recovered the man's body off Gisborne Point on Tuesday. The divers had been at the lake since Monday after the man was reported missing on Sunday afternoon.