We're being reminded to stay vigilant when in the water, after a bleak 48 hours of drownings

Four people have died in separate water incidents, including a child who was swept away from a Napier beach.

The search for a person, thought to be a teen, off Waihi Beach in the Coromandel will resume today.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand's Chris Emmett says the past few days have been tragic - but people need to take better care.

He says Kiwis are encouraged to swim between the flags, read safety signs and to ask lifeguards for advice.