Diver dies after incident off New Zealand’s Māhia Peninsula

A man has died following a diving incident off Wainuiorangi Road on New Zealand’s Māhia Peninsula, in a case now referred to the Coroner.

In a statement issued on Monday, New Zealand Police said they were called at about 9.20pm on Sunday, 11 January 2026, after being notified the man had died following a water-related incident off the Māhia coastline. Police confirmed the death will be referred to the Coroner.

Local reporting by Hawke’s Bay Today said the man was found in the water and, according to a police spokeswoman, no rescue was involved.

Police did not release further details about the circumstances of the incident, the type of diving involved, or whether the man was diving from shore or a vessel.

Police issue water safety reminder

In the same update, Police also used the incident to reinforce a broader summer safety message, noting the Māhia death was one of two fatal water-related incidents in the Eastern District within 24 hours, alongside a separate drowning near Okitu later the following day. 

What divers can take from this

While the Coroner’s findings will ultimately determine what happened, incidents like this are a reminder that routine, unglamorous safety habits are what save lives, especially around remote coastlines and changeable conditions.

For divers planning shore entries around headlands and peninsulas, that typically means conservative calls on sea state and currents, staying within a plan that matches the least experienced person in the group, and carrying the surface signalling kit that makes you easy to find quickly if something goes wrong.

The Scuba News will update this story if Police release additional confirmed details, or if information is published through the Coroner process.