A coroner’s call for urgent action on safety signs at The Gap in Northland has highlighted the lethal risks associated with rock fishing, following the tragic drownings of two men at the notorious coastal site. Coroner Janet Anderson, in her final report released today, has formally requested that the Whangārei District Council prioritize the installation of warning signage and buoyancy aids to prevent further loss of life at the location, which is widely recognized by maritime authorities as a high-hazard environment.
The recommendation follows the deaths of two men who were lost to the sea while fishing at the site. The incident, which prompted a large-scale search, underscores the persistent danger of land-based fishing in Northland, a region that recorded 16 such fatalities between 2011 and 2024, according to data cited in the coroner’s findings. All of these victims were male, reflecting a demographic trend that safety advocates are working to address through targeted education and infrastructure improvements.
The Gap is known for being dangerous and has claimed three rock fishers’ lives. Photo / NZME
A Timeline of the Tragedy
The two men, who had known each other for only four weeks, arrived at The Gap on the day of the incident without life jackets. While one of the men was a seasoned fisherman familiar with other local spots like Smugglers Cove, the location was new to his companion. At approximately 4:45pm, one of the men sent his last communication—a WhatsApp message to his wife detailing their location. By 5:30pm, friends who had planned to meet the pair at the site arrived to find an unfamiliar vehicle and rough sea conditions. Unable to see the men and receiving no response to phone calls, the friends assumed the pair had changed their plans, and departed.
It was not until 9:30pm, when the men’s wives became concerned by the lack of contact, that the alarm was raised. A subsequent search by police discovered a wet grey backpack, a wallet, a cellphone, a chilly bin, and a single shoe on the beach, with fishing gear still inside the bag. Despite a wide-ranging search operation, the outcome was devastating. The body of one man was recovered on May 3 among the rocks near a gully, while the search for the second man was initially suspended. In November 2025, the coroner officially ruled that the second man had likely drowned; his remains were eventually recovered a month later by Department of Conservation staff on Coppermines Island.
The Hazards of Rock Fishing
Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLNZ) has categorized rock fishing as the most hazardous recreational environment in the country. In their submission to the coroner, the organization highlighted the specific dangers present at The Gap, noting that the combination of long swell periods, powerful currents, unpredictable tidal action, and notoriously slippery rock surfaces creates a “perfect storm” for accidents. Compounding these environmental risks is the current lack of public rescue equipment or permanent safety signage at the site.
The Whangārei District Council had previously attempted to address these concerns. In an update provided to the coroner in March, the council confirmed that safety signs had been installed at the location. However, those signs were subsequently removed by unknown individuals, leaving the area once again without clear warnings for visitors. Coroner Anderson has now urged the council to treat the reinstatement of these signs as a matter of urgent public safety.
Essential Safety Protocols
As a physician, overstate the importance of preparedness when engaging in coastal activities. The ocean is dynamic, and even experienced anglers can be caught off guard by a rogue wave or a sudden change in sea state. The water safety sector, endorsed by the coroner, emphasizes a five-point protocol to maximize survivability:
- Know how to float: Ensure you are a competent swimmer and always wear a correctly fitted life jacket. Carry a secondary flotation device, such as a life ring or a buoyant bucket, which can be deployed if you are swept into the water.
- Assess environmental conditions: Before heading out, check the tide, swell, and weather forecasts. If there is any doubt regarding the conditions, the safest decision is to stay off the rocks.
- Always fish with a partner: Never fish alone. Having another person present significantly increases the likelihood of a successful rescue or the ability to call for help if an accident occurs.
- Dress for the environment: Wear light, warm clothing that does not restrict movement, and footwear with superior grip. Avoid heavy boots or gumboots that can become waterlogged and drag a person down.
- Maintain communication: Always carry a mobile phone in a waterproof bag and ensure someone else knows your specific location and your expected time of return.
This incident is a sobering reminder that the beauty of our coastline is matched by its volatility. While infrastructure and signage are vital steps forward, personal responsibility remains the most effective tool in preventing further tragedies. For those seeking further information on water safety or local hazard reports, the Surf Life Saving New Zealand website provides comprehensive resources on how to identify and mitigate risks at the beach and on the rocks.
The Whangārei District Council is expected to provide a formal response regarding the timeline for the reinstatement of safety signage in the coming months. We will continue to monitor this situation as it develops and provide updates as they become available. We invite our readers to share their thoughts on how local councils can better support coastal safety in the comments below.
