The woman who died at Mount Maunganui oceanbeach on Saturday evening was 54-year-old Vivian Fosse Telfar.

Vivian Telfar died at Mount Maunganui beach.

Vivian, a New Zealander originally from Norway, died after being pulled from the stretch of coast towards Sutherland Ave in Mount Maunganui around 6pm on Saturday.

Vivian was swimming at the beach with a group of family and friends when she got into difficulty in the water.

Tauranga Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders says the woman was found unresponsive face down in the water about 20 metres off shore a short time later by a surfer who took her to shore.

Efforts to revive her failed.

The matter has been referred to the Coroner who will determine the cause of death.