A person has died following a boating incident near Kaikoura this morning.

At 7.13am, Coastguard’s National Operations Centre received reports from police and a land based informant of a capsized vessel near Kaikoura.

Volunteers from Coastguard Kaikoura responded immediately aboard rescue vessel Kaikoura Rescue.

However, due to large swells and hazardous rocks in the area, they were unable to safely access the overturned vessel, a Coastguard spokesperson said.

One person was found on rocks and assessed by ambulance staff.

“Police confirmed the second person was found unresponsive onshore.”

A police spokesperson told chrislynchmedia.com two people were on board the vessel. One made it safely to shore and was uninjured.

The second person was located on the beach shortly after 8am.

“Despite the best efforts of those at the scene, the person was pronounced dead a short time later.

“Police would like to thank our partner agencies who assisted with the response, including Police Search and Rescue, RCCNZ, Coastguard Kaikoura volunteers and Surf Lifesaving Kaikoura.”