Woman dies in suspected drowning at marina south of Whangarei

Emergency services were called to Marsden Cove, near Ruakaka, around 10pm last night. Photo / Michael Cunningham

A woman has died in a suspected drowning at a marina south of Whangarei.

Emergency services were called to Marsden Cove, near Ruakaka, around 10pm last night.

The 38-year-old woman had been at a party earlier at the marina earlier in the night but had felt unwell, acting senior sergeant Stephanie Hudson said.

She had left the function and gone back to her boat, where she had been living, but was found in the water some time later.

An ambulance spokeswoman said paramedics attended the incident, and CPR had been done, but the person had died at the scene.

Police said the incident was not suspicious.

The Marina itself is refusing to comment "for the family's sake", it said.

Marsden Cove is an exclusive 230-berth marina at the mouth of the Whangarei Harbour.

It comprises a series of canals and waterfront sections, including a lock and weir system.