A person has died in a water-related incident in Northland.

Emergency services were called to Whangārei Heads at 9.35am, police said, with a person reportedly struggling in the water.

"Sadly, they were unable to be revived."

The death has been referred to the coroner.

There were 90 preventable drownings in New Zealand in 2023, according to Water Safety NZ, and 93 in 2022.