The Police National Dive Squad has recovered a body from Lake Wānaka this afternoon (Friday November 25).

Wānaka Police senior sergeant Chris Brooks said while formal identification is yet to be completed, police believe it was the body of the swimmer reported missing at around 6:30pm on Thursday after failing to resurface.

The Otago Daily Times has reported the man was believed to be a Korean national visiting Wānaka on holiday, and Chris confirmed he was a tourist.

Wānaka resident Paul Tamati conducted a karakia at the site (on the foreshore near the jetty) last night, a lake blessing once the body was removed and a blessing of the man’s body, Chris said.

There were no plans for a rahui (a form of tapu restricting access to the lake), he said.

Coastguard Wānaka Lakes president Jonathan Walmisley told the Wānaka App police asked for their assistance earlier today.

“The police dive squad came on board the Coastguard rescue vessel, and recovered the person from the water around the swimming platform,” he said.

“We were pleased we were able to assist. That’s one of the reasons Coastguard is here - to assist the police in marine rescues.”

He said the Coastguard had “great sympathy for the family”.

“My understanding is the person was swimming from the shore and was swimming with a colleague,” he said, adding there was no safety message at this stage, apart from to be aware that “the lake is cold”.

Chris said it was “hard to say” what had caused the man’s death.

“Until we get an understanding of the autopsy we don’t really know if there was a medical event or not.

“But we know that Surf Life Saving NZ has been talking about the high level of drownings in our waters.”

Surf Lifesaving NZ’s latest National Beach & Coastal Safety Report says there have been 357 beach and coastal fatal drownings in New Zealand in the past ten years. 

Chris said the police limited lake use around the area, but activity is now “back to normal”.

Police are making enquiries in relation to the death on behalf of the Coroner, who will release their findings in due course, he said.

PHOTO: Wānaka App