A 54-year-old Nelson man man is dead after falling from a wharf while fishing in Kaikoura last night.
Sergeant Barry Hansen said the man was fishing from the town's new wharf with a friend about 11.15pm.
"As one was on the edge of the wharf looking at the sea he lost his footing and fell into the water,'' Mr Hansen said.
"He held on to the wharf supports for a short time, then he disappeared from sight.''
His friend could not help him and ran to raise the alarm but he could not be saved.
Searchers on the Kaikoura Coast Guard vessel found his body was found at 12.15am about 100m from where he fell in.
The man's name would not be released until next of kin had been advised.
