Tragic rip victim had 'beautiful heart'

Eleven-year-old Jahzel Porter will be laid to rest at Eparaima Marae in Kaikou today. Photo / Facebook

Eleven-year-old Jahzel Porter who drowned at a Northland beach has been remembered as having a "beautiful heart" and "big smile" by his parents.

Jahzel, also known as Jazz, was unable to be resuscitated after getting caught in a rip at the mouth of the Waipu River just before 2pm on Monday.

Jahzel's funeral will be held today at Eparaima Marae in Kaikou, about 50km north west of Whangarei.

His parents David Anderson and Mihi Porter posted a tribute to their son on the Waitakere Funeral Services Facebook page.

"We are so honoured and proud to have you as our son," they said.

As well as being the brother to four siblings, he was also "loved so much by all his cousins, aunties, uncles, nannies, papas and whanau".

"Your beautiful heart and big smile will be remembered and cherished always and forever.

"Love you always our big boy from mum and dad."

Many people, including whanau and friends, responded to the heartfelt Facebook post and commented with their tributes to Jahzel.

Adriancolenzo Terrylee Ceshajay said: "Love you jaz rest in paradise big boy takn so soon ..x".

Samaya Wise said: "Rip jahzel our school will miss you (tikipunga primary)".

It is understood whanau pulled Jahzel and a 7-year-old relative from the water, while paramedics attempted to resuscitate Jahzel for over 30 minutes.

The death was the third drowning in the region in 12 days.

Auckland student Heng Li, 25, drowned while setting crab pots on Uretiti Beach on Christmas Day, only kilometres away from Jahzel's drowning.

Jarod Lineses, 16, was swept out to sea at Northland's Ninety Mile Beach on December 27.

His body was found on New Year's Day.

Seven people drowned in New Zealand waters this official Christmas holiday period which ran from 4pm Christmas Eve until 6am January 5.

Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Matt Claridge described the deaths, two more than the previous year, as a huge disappointment.

" ... For the number of drownings to be more than last year's festive period - and to include a pre-schooler - is gut wrenching," Mr Claridge said.