Poripori water hole tragedy is second death at site in as many summers

On Saturday, police and other emergency services were called to a location off Poripori Rd about 2.55pm, after a person was pulled from the water.

Police said CPR was given but the person died at the scene. Police have referred the death to the coroner.

Local Democracy Reporting understands the person was a male.

A witness, who spoke on the condition they were not named, said they were planning to take their three young daughters for a swim at the Poripori water hole, but when they arrived in the carpark, they saw an ambulance had just arrived.

The rest of the emergency services followed, and the swimmers were evacuated from the water hole.

“Everybody was quiet.

“It was just this common sadness because everybody knew what happened.”

Known as the Poripori water hole or swimming hole, the area has a series of natural pools surrounded by bush, and is a well-known spot to cool off in hot weather.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council reserves and facilities manager Peter Watson said the council was not involved in the emergency response as that was not its role.

Asked whether safety changes may be needed after two deaths in Poripori over two summers, he said the council would be guided by any recommendations from the coroner.

“Any natural water body, whether it be a river, stream, the ocean or a lake, presents hazards and risks to anyone entering the water.”

There are several signs in the area warning of drowning risks due to water flows increasing from releases of the Lake McLaren dam upstream.

A Contact Energy spokesperson said there was no release from the dam on Saturday, only on Sunday as scheduled.

One of the water safety signs around the Poripori swimming hole. Photo / Western Bay of Plenty Council

Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Glen Scanlon said rivers remained one of New Zealand’s deadliest environments for drowning.

“Poripori, like so many calm and beautiful swimming holes in New Zealand’s rivers, poses risks of submerged rocks, a fast-flowing current, and hazards from slipping and falling.

“On a warm sunny day, a river swimming hole looks like a great place for a swim. Swimming in rivers is fun, but it can always be dangerous.”

Scanlon said that in almost every incident, drowning in New Zealand can be prevented.

This could not be prevented by signage alone.

River swimming advice from Water Safety NZ

Swimming in a river is not like swimming in a pool or in the sea.

River water is much colder than water in a pool or the sea You do not float as well in river water as you do in seawater If you are in a river current and try to put your feet down, your foot could become trapped under rocks If you are in a river current, you can become trapped against obstacles and strainers or be swept into rapids, waterfalls or weirs If you are in a river current, you will use a lot of energy to keep yourself afloat as you look to get out of the river at the first safe exit point.

New Zealand’s water safety code focuses on the critical decisions people need to make to stay safe – watersafetynz.org/staying-safe/water-safety-code

Ayla Yeoman is a journalist based in Tauranga. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Communications and Politics & International Relations from the University of Auckland, and has been a journalist since 2022.

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.