Dead fisherman had moved to Far North just days earlier

Police and St John Ambulance were called to Tokerau Beach, opposite Whatuwhiwhi Top 10 Holiday Park, after a fisherman was pulled from the water. Photo / Google

A man who died while fishing at Tokerau Beach had moved to the area only two days earlier after selling up his business in Auckland.

The 61-year-old was pulled from the water at Whatuwhiwhi, on the Karikari Peninsula in Doubtless Bay, about 3.10pm on Sunday.

He was thought to have died of a heart attack.

Constable Dave Reynolds, of Mangonui police, said the man had been fishing off the northern end of Tokerau Beach, opposite Whatuwhiwhi Top 10 Holiday Park, when a fish pulled his rod and holder into the water.

As he rushed into the water to retrieve his rod, he collapsed.

Local residents, including a man fishing off nearby rocks and a fisherman who had just returned to the beach by boat, saw the incident unfolding and rushed to the man's aid.

They pulled him from the water and tried in vain to resuscitate him. He was dead when St John Ambulance arrived.

Mr Reynolds praised the locals who did their best to save the man's life.

It is understood the keen fisherman had sold his business in Auckland and moved to the Karikari Peninsula from Auckland with his wife two days earlier. His name has not yet been released.

The coroner will decide whether a post-mortem examination is required to confirm his cause of death.