Man dies after jumping off Tolaga Bay wharf

The wharf at Tolaga Bay on the East Coast, north of Gisborne. File photo / Sarah Ivey

A Malaysian man has died after jumping off the wharf at Tolaga Bay.

A 20 year old English tourist jumped in the water to try and save the man - but he was swept away by a wave.

Tolaga Bay Wharf is a popular tourist attraction 50km north of Gisborne on the East Coast.

The dead man was one of two people who were jumping off the wharf this afternoon.

The companion raised the alarm about 2.30pm when the man did not surface after jumping in.

The Tolaga Bay Wharf is a popular tourist spot for fishing and sightseeing. Over the summer months hundreds of people jump off the end and climb back up a ladder on one of the piles.

The 660-metre wharf has been extensively restored in recent years.