Person jumped into Auckland harbour to help woman who died in boating incident — police

April 2, 2021

The woman had been travelling on a chartered boat carrying roughly 30 other passengers when the incident occurred.

A person jumped into the water to help the woman who died in a boating incident in Auckland's Waitematā Harbour last night.

Police told 1 NEWS a second person went into the water to help the 25-year-old woman, who later died from the critical injuries she sustained in the incident.

Police confirmed the second person in the water "was uninjured".

Police today also confirmed the woman was on a Zefiro Charters Limited boat at the time.

In a statement last night, police said they were called to the incident in the Waitematā Harbour about 5.15pm.

"The boat was a chartered vessel that left the Viaduct this afternoon, carrying approximately 30 passengers," police said.

According to the New Zealand Charter Guide website, the charter boat, Zefiro is “one of the most popular luxury charter vessels available for hire in Auckland”. The site says it has a capacity of up to 36 people and crew.

The website , however, now says it's "no longer taking charters". The Facebook page for Zefiro Charters has also been taken down. 

The registered owners of the company, Lawrence Knight and Ben Mostert, could not be reached for comment. But, they told Stuff in a statement they "are shocked and devastated with the events that unfolded yesterday afternoon".

“We are currently working with police and Maritime New Zealand who have our full cooperation and will be conducting our own independent investigation to determine what happened.”

Police told 1 NEWS the next update is expected to be a name release, but said they "could not put a timeframe on this".

Police and Maritime New Zealand say the agencies are working together to understand the circumstances surrounding the death.

Police are also making inquiries on behalf of the coroner.

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