Police have released the name of the man who died after a vehicle entered Ruahihi Canal on July 22.

He was John Riki Paul, aged 66, from Tauranga.

Emergency services were called to the Ruahihi Canal off McLaren Falls Road in Omanawa at 1.20pm

"Our thoughts are with Mr Paul's family and loved ones," says a police spokesperson.

"Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing."

Following the crash last week, Downer confirmed that it was one of their employees who died when the truck plunged into the waterway.

'This is a tragic event and we are working with the family and the local team to support them through this challenging time," says the Downer spokesperson.