Man's body found on boat in Mount Maunganui

Police at the scene in Mount Maunganui where a man's body was found on a motorboat and another man was discovered injured. Photo / George Novak

A man's body has been found in a small motorboat in Mount Maunganui this morning.

Police officers at the scene confirmed one man was dead and another man was found with what appeared to be minor injuries. Maritime NZ arrived at the scene late this morning.

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Police said the man's body was located in a damaged boat at the Pilot Quay shore area of Mount Maunganui about 7.50am.

This afternoon, the police said they were are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the boating incident alongside Maritime NZ.

Police said the man's next of kin had been informed, inquiries were continuing and further information would be released when available.

The popular base walking track around Mauao was still open earlier this morning, with plenty of Saturday morning walkers walking past the scene and looking down on to the narrow strip of beach, where the small motorboat was lying on the sand.

Police then closed the base track temporarily at both ends to transport the man's body to a waiting hearse.

Mark Dittmer, a Maritime NZ spokesman, said the agency was investigating the incident under the Maritime Transport Act.

"We are working with police to determine the circumstances of the incident," he said.

"Maritime NZ will interview the people involved and conduct scene examinations as part of the investigation process. We will then assess all information gathered and make decisions based on that.​"

Fire and Emergency NZ at Mount Maunganui with a hearse parked at the entrance to the track around Mauao, which has been closed to the public. Photo / George Novak