Police are continuing to make enquiries today in relation to a man and child reported missing at Waihi Beach.

The pair were reported missing after people say they were seen going into the water on Tuesday afternoon, but were not seen coming out.

Rescuers scoured the surf for hours after reports two people had got into difficulty while swimming at the popular surf spot.

Surf lifesavers had three inflatable rescue boats and two jetskis were out searching for the pair, says Surf Life Saving New Zealand's Faron Turner.

But late on Tuesday, a police spokesman said the search had been suspended after no one had been loacted.

This morning police say they made a number of enquiries yesterday to determine whether information that two people were in difficulty in the water was accurate.

"Those enquiries were not able to confirm anybody was missing.

"Police will continue to make further enquiries today."

Yesterday's incident comes after three people died in water-related incidents on Tuesday.

A child drowned at Kai Iwi Lakes in Northland earlier Tuesday, and a person died after getting into difficulties in the water at Waiwera.

A man also died swimming in the Waingaro River, west of Ngāruawāhia.

So far there have been 23 confirmed drownings since the beginning of December.

-Additional reporting by Stuff/ Troels Sommerville