The New Zealand Defence Force says a sailor has died in an accident in Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands.
"The sailor was serving on the HMNZS OTAGO which is in the Pacific conducting maritime patrols ."
The Defence Force will not release the name of the sailor or circumstances surrounding the incident in order to allow time for the wider family to be informed.
The Maritime Component Commander, Commodore John Martin, says they are saddened by this loss and, the force's priority at the moment is to provide comfort and support to the sailor's family and shipmates.
