A rāhui has been place on Lake Rotomā following a fatal crash.

Police have confirmed one person died after a car crashed into the Bay of Plenty lake.

'A car had left the road near the intersection of State Highway 30 and Matahi Road, and was in the Lake,” says a police spokesperson.

'One person was retrieved from the car and resuscitation attempts were made.

'Sadly, the person died at the scene.

'Serious Crash Unit has been notified and enquiries in to the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.”

A rāhui is in place in accordance with Te Kawa o Te Arawa.

Te Arawa Lakes Trust support hapū to exercise this practice and Kawatapuarangi trustee Arapeta Tahana says the rāhui has been placed near the Matahi Road intersection where the accident happened.

'Our thoughts are with the family of the bereaved, who are grieving and mourning the death of their loved one.

'Lake Rotomā is now in a state of tapu, whereby the placing of a Rāhui is a safety measure which will allow the lake and the environment to replenish itself.”

A formal karakia has been conducted by local Rotomā hapū Ngāti Tamateatutahi – Ngāti Kawiti.

The rāhui will be lifted Saturday, October 29.