Rock fishing incidents highlight continued need for safety education

Two serious incidents over the weekend of Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June have highlighted the serious risk associated with rock fishing on New Zealand's unpredictable coastline.  

On Saturday 6th, SurfCom was notified just after 1.00pm that a 35-year-old man had fallen into the water while rock fishing near the gannet colony at Muriwai.  

The fisherman was wearing full clothing, including long pants and a long-sleeve high-visibility jacket, but no lifejacket. Witnesses on the rocks attempted to throw a life ring to him three times, but due to the challenging conditions he was unable to reach it and quickly drifted out of sight.  

Muriwai surf lifeguards, who had just completed an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) exam, were immediately tasked alongside the Search and Rescue (SAR) squad. They deployed two rescue watercraft (RWC) and an IRB to conduct a thorough shoreline and cave search under rapidly deteriorating conditions, facing choppy waters and a large swell. 

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter located and retrieved the man from the water south of Māori Bay and, tragically, he was confirmed deceased.  

On Sunday 7th, three rock fishermen visiting Sunset Beach in Waikato for the first time walked out to "Flat Rock" during low tide. Unaware of local tide behaviours, they did not check the incoming tide times and quickly found themselves cut off from the mainland. A large swell was actively breaking over the rock, putting the men at risk of being swept into the sea.  

Fortunately, two off-duty Sunset Beach lifeguards happened to be at the club conducting out-of-season IRB training. They spotted the stranded group and immediately sprang into action. Gearing up in wetsuits, rescue tubes, helmets, and lifejackets, the lifeguards swam out to the rock, secured the three men, and carefully guided them back through the surf to safety.  

Aside from being cold and wet, and suffering minor scrapes from the rocks, the fishermen required no major first aid. 

These incidents show the need for improved education on how to make rock fishing and other kai gathering activities safer. Actions like checking the conditions, wearing a life jacket, always facing toward the ocean, and never going alone can make all the difference and ensure everyone gets home safely. 

Lifejacket saves a life at Piha 

A very similar rock fishing incident earlier this year at Piha showed how being prepared and having flotation saves lives. 

On 18 February 2026, a local fisherman was caught off-guard at The Gap – a particularly high-risk location at Piha. While moving down to the water's edge to land a fish, the man was caught off guard and washed into the sea. Because he was wearing his lifejacket, he was able to remain calm, stay afloat, and swim clear of the rocky shelf to avoid being battered by the waves. 

His companions quickly threw him a life ring and called 111. The Eagle helicopter spotted him keeping afloat in the strong current, and off-duty surf lifeguards launched an IRB to successfully pick him up and return him to shore fully safe and well.  

Afterwards, the man let the team know he had previously fished casually without much consideration for the West Coast’s hazards. However, following sustained safety engagement over several weeks with a coastal safety officer from Surf Life Saving New Zealand, the fisherman made some important changes. He invested in a lifejacket, began wearing it consistently, and started advocating for sea safety among his peers.  

"This is a really positive outcome, and the fact the fisherman was wearing a lifejacket made a critical difference," noted Zac Franich, GM for the Northern Region. "Were it not for the lifejacket, we could very easily have been reporting on a fatal drowning."  

Staying safe around rocks 

1. Know how to float 

Only go fishing from rocks if you know how to float well. Always wear a lifejacket and take a flotation device, like a life ring or a bucket, with you. Lifejackets will increase your chance of survival if you fall in. 

2. Find the safest place 

Check conditions: tide, swell, weather, and local hazards. Always face the ocean and be alert for large waves which can knock you off the rocks. 

3. If in doubt, stay out 

If the weather or conditions look dangerous don’t go fishing – wait for another day 

4. Take care of yourself and others 

Always fish together. If something happens they can help. Wear light, warm clothing, a lifejacket and shoes with grip (not gumboots). 

5. Know how to get help 

Always take a mobile phone; in an emergency call 111 and ask for Police. 

Lifejacket Hubs & Public Rescue Equipment 

Wearing a correctly fitted lifejacket increases your chance of survival if you end up in the water. If you don’t have a lifejacket, you can borrow one from a Drowning Prevention Auckland (DPA) Lifejacket Hub. 

At several high-risk beaches, lifejacket loan boxes have been installed to make lifejackets available for public use while fishing or visiting the rocks. For more details on where to find these loan public safety stations, visit the  DPA website.  

At Surf Life Saving clubs all over the country, alongside a growing number of other high risk location, new Public Rescue Equipment (PRE) including rescue buoys and life rings has been installed. These units are available year-round and are specifically designed to enable members of the public to respond safely to water emergencies before emergency services arrive.  

Stay safe, know the risks, and look out for your community.