Deaths at Lake Taupō were women, 49 and men, 50, police say

Police have released information about the two bodies discovered on the shores of Lake Taupō on Friday morning.

The deceased were a 49-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man, both from the Bay of Plenty.

“We are not in a position to release the names at this time,” a police spokesman said.

Emergency services were alerted to the bodies around 7 a.m. Friday, near Mere Rd in Taupō.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Yardley said police were conducting investigations after a member of the public found the two bodies shortly after 7 a.m.

“At this stage, the police are working to establish the identity of the bodies and a post-mortem examination will be carried out,” he said.

A scene guard was to remain in place.

Taupō Mayor David Trewavas said he understood that a person walking by the lake saw the bodies in the water.

Then the bodies had been pulled out of the shallow water, he said.

“This is a very, very sad day,” Trewavas said.

He understood that there was no sign of a boat near where the bodies were found, adding to the mystery of how the couple died.

Taupō had been particularly busy in the past week, as people flocked to the popular vacation destination in the center of the North Island from across the country.

Trewavas said learning that two people had died overnight in his city was a tragic way to start the day.

“Waking up to a beautiful crystal clear day, the lake is so pristine and someone encountering two dead people is very, very unfortunate.”

The Lake Taupō Coast Guard said it had not been contacted about the deaths, nor had there been any search of the lake for the lost boats.