A 50-year-old man has drowned after being swept out to sea while fishing in Kaikoura.
The local man was fishing with a friend at the Clarence River mouth when he was hit by a wave just before 10am.
He was seen floating for some time before disappearing from view, police say.
A helicopter spotted the man shortly after and he was recovered by a local fisherman.
The death has been referred to the coroner.
Newshub.