At about 4.15pm police responded to reports that two people had been thrown from a small boat approximately 100 metres from shore between Otaki and Waikawa Beaches.

The two men from the boat were aged 22 and 60.

The 22-year-old, who was wearing a life jacket, has been able to make it back into shore.

The 60-year-old appears not to have been wearing a life jacket at the time and was located approximately 15 minutes later close to the shore by members of the public.

Attempts to revive the man by members of the public and the local Surf Rescue were unsuccessful.

Family have been advised and are in the process of notifying extended family members.

Anyone with any information or who may have seen the boat prior to this tragedy is urged to contact Constable Juan Agnew of the Otaki Police.

Source: New Zealand Police.