Death on the water: Body recovered from sea off Kaikōura coast

A helicopter retrieving the body spotted in the water off the Kaikōura coast today. Photo / Supplied

A person has died in the water off the coast of Kaikōura.

Emergency services were alerted to a body in the water earlier this morning.

A Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched but was stood down after a local pilot retrieved the body.

Police confirmed they were called to the beach in Kaikoura around 11am near Edmund Ave to reports a man had gone into the water and not resurfaced.

Five volunteers from Coastguard Kaikoura responded and helped with recovering the body and taking him back to shore where police and ambulance staff took over.

The man's death will be referred to the Coroner.