The body of a man has been recovered from the water off the coast of the Haumuri Bluffs, near Kaikōura.

Around 1:15 PM on Friday, a group of fishermen spotted the man in the water.

A police spokesperson said Coastguard and officers attended the scene and recovered the body.

The formal identification process is underway.

Police have thanked the fishermen for alerting authorities.

The man’s death will be referred to the Coroner.