One person has died in a workplace incident at Rotorua’s Kaingaroa Forest.
Emergency services responded to the scene at about 12pm.
“A digger had become submerged and, after a search was conducted, the driver was located deceased,” police said.
“Specialist teams including the Serious Crash Unit, CIB, and the National Dive Squad are involved in the response and recovery.”
WorkSafe have been advised and enquiries were ongoing, police added.
A WorkSafe spokesperson said an investigation into the fatality “is underway”.
“Our inspectors have been at the scene today, gathering evidence.”