18-year-old man dies at waterfall near Piha in West Auckland

An 18-year-old German tourist has died after slipping and falling at a scenic waterfall on Auckland's west coast.

The teenager had been with a group of other tourists at the Kitekite Falls near Piha, in the Waitakere Ranges, when the accident happened this afternoon.

Senior Sergeant Tony Miller said the man had been exploring the landmark with a group of friends when he slipped and fell.

Teen dies at falls

A man has died at a scenic waterfall in the Waitakere Ranges near Piha this afternoon. Police say they are investigating the death at Kitekite falls. ...

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A man has died at a scenic waterfall in the Waitakere Ranges near Piha this afternoon. Police say they are investigating the death at Kitekite falls. ...

"While they were climbing the falls one of the group has slipped and fallen down the falls and into a pool at the bottom," Mr Miller said.

"He was recovered from the pool and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful."

Police were now investigating the teen's death on behalf of the coroner.

Mr Miller said the man had been part of a group of five who had spent the past few months travelling around the country while on a gap year.

"They were going to stay here for a while longer ... but they are now going home."They just met each other on their travels as you do."

He said the group were all about the same age and they were "cut up" following the accident.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 3pm.

Photo / Daniel Hines

Police, St John ambulance, firefighters and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter all attended.

The man's body was recovered from the pool and later removed from the scene by a hearse.

At the scene, a man wearing a white shirt could be seen holding his face in his hands.

The Kitekite Falls are among the most renowned in the Waitakere Ranges.

There are six separate drops, 40m high in total, which culminate in a deep pool at the bottom.

The tourist's death comes a month after two teenagers died at the Hunua Falls, in the south Auckland ranges.

Peter Lemalu, 17, and Lilatoni Vetemotu, 13, drowned within nine days of each other in March.