Two men swimming in the Manawatū River in Palmerston North this evening have drowned.
Photo: 123RF
Police said in a statement that emergency services received reports from the public just after 5.30pm that two men swimming in the river near Awapuni were missing.
A search was launched, and the men's bodies were recovered "a short time later at a nearby location", police said.
Police extended their condolences to the men's families and loved ones.
They are making enquiries into the deaths on behalf of the coroner.
The drownings come just four days after a 27-year-old woman and 11-year-old child went missing when they entered the river.
Police have recovered the body of the girl but the woman remains missing.
After that incident a rāhui was placed on the river through the city.