An Australian man who died in a white water rafting accident in New Zealand has been named as police officer Joshua Paroci from NSW.

Mr Paroci, 31, a Senior Constable, was killed while rafting on the Shotover River, north of Queenstown, on the country's south island on Saturday.

His raft flipped over near the Toilet Rapids before he was swept down river and was unable to be resuscitated.

Senior NSW Policeman Joshua Paroci, 31, was killed while on a rafting trip north of Queenstown in New Zealand. (Facebook)

(9NEWS)

Queenstown Rafting and Challenge Rafting said rescue staff who were present on the rafting tour with Mr Paroci attempted to save the man from the water using a rescue rope before he lost his grip.

"At around 3.45pm the raft went through a succession of rapids and overturned at the ‘Toilet’ rapid," a statement from the companies said.

"Two other rafts on the same trip did not overturn. Rafts overturning is not unusual for grade 4-5 rivers.

"Standard rescue procedures were followed by the guides and safety kayaker and the rafters swam to the river banks on either side as per procedure. It was as one of the rafters was being brought back from the far side of the river using a rescue rope, that he lost his grip.

"He was swept through the next rapid where he was met by the safety kayaker who helped him navigate the subsequent rapid before assisting him to the shore. He became unresponsive, CPR was provided and a defibrillator utilised.

"The guest received further treatment from paramedics who arrived by helicopter just after 5pm but was unable to be resuscitated."

Challenge Rafting was operating the white water rafting trip, when Joshua Paroci was killed near Queenstown. (Facebook/Challenge Rafting )

Another person on the raft was also injured and taken to Lakes District Hospital while others on the rafting trip were flown from the scene via helicopter.

Today, NSW Police confirmed in a statement that Mr Paroci was a detective senior constable with the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.

Commissioner Mick Fuller extended his condolences to the Paroci family.

"The hardest part of my job is when we lose one of our own and my thoughts are with Det S/C Paroci's wife, who is also a police officer, family, friends and colleagues," he said in a statement.

"Det S/C Paroci was well respected by all those who knew him and the police family will rally around his loved ones during this difficult time."

Joshua Paroci was thrown into the water and dragged down-river for a distance before he was treated to by paramedics and unable to be resuscitated. (Facebook)

Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec also described Mr Paroci as a "great man and an excellent detective".

"Professionally, Josh was a tireless worker; dedicated to investigating some of the most heinous crimes against children," he said.

"His passion was justice for victims. Not only was he a police officer, he was completing a law degree, which he intended to use to create better outcomes for young victims.

"Josh was inspirational, and everywhere he worked, he turned colleagues into mates; today, we mourn the loss of our good mate."

Queenstown Rafting General Manager Luke Taylor said in a statement that he and his staff are devastated by the incident.

“Our hearts go out to our guests and the families of those involved in this. Both our companies wish to offer the group our sincere condolences and ongoing support,” he said.

Mr Paroci, 31, a police officer, was killed while rafting near Queenstown on Saturday. (AAP)

Totally Tourism manager Tim Barker said on Radio NZ: "We believe everything was done by the book and standard procedure. But the outcome was certainly something we did not expect."

"Our hearts go out to our guests and the families of those involved in this. Both our companies wish to offer the group our sincere condolences and ongoing support," Queenstown Rafting General Manager Luke Taylor said.

Maritime New Zealand and Police are investigating.

The incident also comes two months after the death of one of Queenstown Rafting's guides on the same stretch of river following a medical event.