Wife of drowned Muriwai kitesurfer Andrew Wadsley sends safety message

Kitesurfer Andrew Wadsley drowned in the rough waters of Muriwai. Photo /Greg Bowker

The "dearly loved husband" who died kitesurfing on Saturday will be remembered at a funeral on Friday.

Te Atatu man Andrew Wadsley, 42, drowned after he got into trouble in the wild surf at Muriwai Beach.

His wife urged other kitesurfers to be safe in a post to Facebook. She said that Wadsley loved the kitesurfing community but now he would never come home for dinner again.

"He did get into trouble when he lost his board and was stuck in a rip.

"Please all make sure that you cut away your kite if in danger, it's only money and can be replaced... whereas my husband, and the father to my girls will never be home for dinner again, celebrate a birthday or see his girls doing what they love."

In a death notice Wadsley was remembered as the "dearly loved husband" of his wife and "adored dad" of his two daughters.

A man who was at the beach called it a "sobering end" to a day out on the water.

Another man who was at the beach said in a post on the New Zealand Kitesurfing Facebook page that about 15 to 20 kite surfers were out on the water near where the incident happened.

When the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter arrived the man was having CPR performed on him, rescue helicopter spokesman Lincoln Davies said.

"Medical intervention was attempted but unfortunately the man died," he said.

"Sadly the man was deceased when the crew arrived."

Police said a member of the public found the man on the beach.

"It is believed he had been out kitesurfing," police said.