Lily Pond Reserve closed after drowning at Waitangi River

A reserve next to a popular swimming hole at the Waitangi River has been temporarily closed to the public following a drowning at the river yesterday.

Ngati Rehia kaumatua Waimutu Te Whiu blessed and placed a three-day rahui on the Lily Pond swimming hole yesterday afternoon after a 19-year-old male drowned.

The Far North District Council locked a gate to an esplanade reserve at the end of Lily Pond Lane earlier this afternoon.

It will reopen this on Saturday or Sunday after the rahui has been lifted.

The Council asks the public to show respect for the deceased, his family and Ngati Rehia by not using the reserve or swimming hole while the rahui is in place.