Police name boy who died on Northland beach

The mouth of the Waipu River at Waipu were an 11-year-old boy drowned. A 7-year-old boy was also pulled out with the water to safety. PHOTO/NZHerald

An 11-year-old boy who died after being caught in a rip at a Northland beach yesterday has been named.

Jahzel Porter of Whangarei died after being caught in the rip along with a 7-year-old boy at the mouth of the Waipu River, about 40km southeast of Whangarei, shortly before 2pm yesterday.

Relatives desperately worked to pull the boys from the water, putting their own lives in danger, Surf Life Saving northern region manager David Butt said.

"The two adults themselves got into a wee bit of trouble and have taken on some water as well."

Once out of the water, the relatives began performing CPR on Jahzel, who was unconscious.

Surf lifesavers and paramedics arrived at the scene within minutes and took over for half an hour, but were unable to resuscitate him. Police said the 7-year-old was "safe and well".

Northland Emergency Services Trust rescue helicopter chief pilot Pete Turnbull said they arrived at the scene minutes after they were alerted, as they were diverted from the search for an aircraft that turned out to fine.

Mr Turnbull said the group was isolated on a bank near the Waipu River mouth, near Ruakaka Beach.

"The beach was sparsely populated -- it's a very long beach and there were just wee pockets of people every 200 to 400 metres, otherwise you were pretty much on your own. The tide was half out so it was just a big isolated beach."

A man who owned a home near the river mouth said the area could be difficult for people who weren't familiar with the swimming conditions.