A diver reported missing this afternoon off the Coromandel Peninsula has been pronounced dead by medical staff.
A crewman from the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter, which was called shortly after 1pm for the search, confirmed a man had been found in the water near Hahei Beach.
"He's been recovered and unfortunately he's ... deceased,'' crewman Tinny Cannell said.
The man was found by a boat, Mr Cannell said.
Medical staff from the helicopter were then winched down to a Coast Guard vessel about 2.10pm, Mr Cannell said.
"We commenced resuscitation on the boat'', however this was unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead on the vessel.
"It was a pretty harrowing experience for beachgoers at one stage'' as the resuscitation attempt was "reasonably public''.
Mr Cannell had no further details about the man.
Do you know more? Contact the Herald here.