Lake Taupō jetski incident: Police locate body, witness describes hearing cries for help

The jetskier went missing following an accident on Lake Taupō yesterday afternoon. Photo / Supplied

The body of a jetskier who went missing after an incident on Lake Taupō has been found by divers.

Police said the Police Dive Squad located the body this afternoon.

“Police offer condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” a police statement said.

“We wish to thank all involved in the search including members of the public, Harbourmaster and Coastguard, and to thank Tuwharetoa Māori Trust Board and local hapū who assisted whānau during the search.”

A rāhui would remain in place in the Nukuhau/Acacia Bay area of the lake for the next few days.

Earlier, a witness described hearing cries for help from someone struggling in the lake after two people came off a jetski on Sunday afternoon.

One person seen struggling in the water was rescued but a second person remained missing until being located today.

Senior Sergeant Andy Livingstone, of Taupō police, said they received a report of a person or people on a jetski in trouble off Acacia Bay about 12.40pm yesterday.

A young boy told the Herald he heard someone yelling for help and he and his cousin ran to the lake to investigate.

“We saw someone in the water and his jetski was a few metres to the side of him,” the boy said.

“He tried to swim over to his jetski and kept yelling out for help and waving at us. It was pretty loud.”

The boy’s grandmother said everyone at the back of their waterfront house could hear the man yelling for help.

She said a police officer who kayaked out to the struggling man flipped the kayak.

“But then a boat came over and picked [the struggling man] up.”

A police spokesman said yesterday one person made it to shore with assistance from police and Taupō Coastguard.

“Tūwharetoa Maori Trust Board has been advised and local hapū are assisting to support those involved.”

In an online post, Nikuhau Marae announced that a rāhui was in force on a section of the lake near where the incident took place.

“At approximately 8.45pm, Sunday, January 19, 2025, a rāhui was placed from the pūau down past Paenoa Te Ākau to Te Moenga Bay Boat Ramp near the Acacia Bay shops,” it said.

The rāhui was enacted as a result of the jetski incident and the missing person.

The marae would be working with the whānau and police to determine the length of the rāhui.

“Please observe the rāhui and refrain from swimming, fishing or kai-gathering in the marked area until further notice.”

Taupō Mayor David Trewavas said it was a very sad incident on the region’s beautiful lake.

“It came at the end of a busy weekend for our town, with lots of people visiting and enjoying the good weather,” he said.

“My thanks go to Lake Taupō Coastguard and the police for their efforts so far to find the missing person. I support the rāhui put in place by Nukuhau Marae and urge people to respect it.”

David Williams is an Auckland-based Multimedia Journalist who joined the Herald in 2023. He covers breaking news and general topics.

Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.