Police at the scene where the two bodies were discovered. Video / Laurilee McMichael
The two people found dead in the rock pools of Lake Taupō on Friday morning are understood to be young adults from the Bay of Plenty who died from suspected hypothermia after drinking to blackout.
The bodies found on the shore of Lake Taupō near Mere Rd are this morningbeing taken to Hamilton for a post-mortem.
Police have confirmed that the deaths are not suspicious. The deaths will be referred to the Coroner.
One of the bodies was found in the hot rock pools separated on the shore of Lake Taupō, and one was submerged in the lake itself, the Herald understands.
"It sounds like a couple of young ones, down from the Bay of Plenty got pissed, had a swim, hypothermia and [died]," a person involved in the police investigation said.
Taupō Mayor David Trewavas said it was understood the possible cause of death was hypothermia.
Trewavas said the location the bodies were found is a popular late-night public hangout spot.
"There's reports of a lot of noise that night, you know down there. It's a public parking area as well. Sort of a bit of a hangout and a very popular spot," Trewavas said.
"There's toilets down there. It's one of those dead-end streets that is a bit of a gathering point."
Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Yardley says police are making inquiries after two bodies were found by a member of the public near Mere Rd, Lake Taupō.
Trewavas says locals heard noises throughout the night from the group partying.
"They said it was freezing on Thursday night, bloody freezing here.
"It's a little hot water beach. So there's mineral pools there," Trewavas said.
"So, sounds like they were completely out to the count. And then went and had a sort of a swim or whatever, soak in the pool. But it's so unusual that two would die together.
"Freezing night. A combination of factors I would say."
Police remain at the lake as investigations continue into the deaths.
