Emergency services are responding to reports of two people missing in a river in Kawerau in Bay of Plenty this afternoon.
Police said emergency services were notified about 11.30am of two people having gone into the Tarawera River near Boyce Park and not having returned. "Staff are on scene working to locate them, along with Fire and Emergency New Zealand," a statement from police said.
Hato Hone St John said it was notified of the incident at 11.34am on Manukorihi Drive.
It sent an ambulance, first response unit, operations manager and a rapid response unit. A helicopter was also sent.
Manukorihi Drive is on the north-eastern edge of Kawerau, in an industrial precinct separated from the township by the Tarawera River.
In a post to Facebook, Kawerau District Council said: "An incident occurred today in our community".
"We understand the New Zealand Police, Fire Emergency New Zealand and St John are at the scene.
"We ask that Kawerau allow these emergency services to do their mahi."
The council added the community will be updated "in due course".
A nearby business told 1News people had gathered at Boyce Park.
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