Desperate attempts were made to resuscitate a man found unresponsive in the water near Shag Point on Tuesday, police say.
The 57-year-old Oamaru man, who had been diving for paua off the coast of East Otago, died after he was found unconscious in the water by a friend before being brought to shore.
Sergeant Blair Corlet, of Oamaru, said the man's friend performed CPR for several minutes before first responders arrived at the scene and took over.
Despite attempts to revive the man, he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
A police spokeswoman said emergency services were called about 5pm to reports of a person unconscious in the water.
It is understood conditions on the water were calm at the time.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said fire, ambulance and police attended the scene near to the Hampden-Palmerston Rd on State Highway 1.
One Fenz appliance from Oamaru attended.
The death has been referred to the coroner.
