Rāhui in place after death on beach north of Napier

Hawkes Bay Today

23 Dec, 2025 01:04 AMQuick Read

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Police were called to a beach north of Napier on Monday. Photo / NZME

A three-day rāhui has been put in place asking people to desist from fishing, diving or snorkelling and boating in an area around where a person died on the coast between Westshore and Bay View on Monday.

The temporary closure was announced by Mana Ahuriri in the hours after the
incident, near The Beacons, and remains in place until whakanoa (cleansing and closure) about 6pm on Christmas Day.

It says the rāhui, around shipwreck remains in the area that are sometimes used for diving, is a mark of respect for the life lost, and to protect the spiritual and cultural integrity of the area.

Police were called to the scene north of Napier about 2.30pm on Monday.

They said later a sudden death on the beach near the water’s edge appeared to have been the result of a medical event.