Aussie woman dies on NZ snorkelling trip

A 58-year-old Australian woman has died while snorkelling on Raoul Island, 1100km north-east of New Zealand.

Susan Larter and her husband were passengers on a New Zealand-registered adventure tourism boat, the Spirit of Enderby. The boat is owned by Christchurch company Heritage Expeditions.

It appeared she was snorkelling in calm conditions in a small supervised group when she indicated she was having difficulties, Western Bay of Plenty police said.

A medical evacuation was arranged but Larter died of "complications" before it could happen. Police would not say what she died of, but her death was not being treated as suspicious.

Her husband was by her side throughout.