Police prepare to recover the body from the harbour.

The body recovered from Wellington Harbour was that of a middle-aged woman, police say.

Police were alerted about 6.30am on Friday that a body was in the water near Queens Wharf on the capital's waterfront.

The woman's body was recovered about an hour later.

ROBERT KITCHIN/FAIRFAX NZ Police are at the scene on Wellington's waterfront.

In a statement Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry said the death was at this stage being treated as unexplained, but appeared not to be suspicious.

It was not yet clear how the woman ended up in the water, he said.

Police were working to identify the woman and then notify her next of kin.

The area where the body was found is close to the capital's CBD and is a popular spot for morning joggers and commuters.

Several police cars were initially at the scene outside the TSB Arena and police directed pedestrians on their way to work away from the waterfront side of Shed 6.



The Fire Service also attended.

After the body was recovered police lowered a boat into the harbour with three officers on board.