Wairarapa Maori have banned fishing and swimming along a stretch of South Wairarapa coast where a Carterton man was found dead in shallow waters while paua diving on Sunday.
Michael Siemonek, 49, was found dead in a shallow tidal area not far from the shore at Tora about 1pm on Sunday. Senior Sergeant Mike Sutton said Mr Siemonek had been at the South Wairarapa beach with family and friends, who had found him.
The death was not being treated as suspicious although the cause of death was still unknown, and the possibility of a serious medical event had yet to be ruled out.
PJ Devonshire, chief executive of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, said that in response to the death of Mr Siemonek a traditional rahui, or restriction, had been placed on a square kilometre area stretching from the mouth of the Awhea River to Seal Point and the southern end of Stony Bay.
"The rahui pertains to swimming and the taking of shellfish in the vicinity and will be in place until Friday. Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, on behalf of Ngati Hinewaka, ask that the rahui be observed," Mr Devonshire said.
