Whitebaiter dies after group swept into water by big wave in Wairarapa

A person has died after a group of whitebaiters were swept into the water at the Mataikona River mouth on the Wairarapa coast this afternoon.

Police say they were called to the scene about 2pm after a group of whitebaiters were swept into the water by a large wave.

All people returned to the shore. However, one person has died following the incident due to a suspected medical event, police say.

Emergency services are still at the scene late this afternoon.