A sense of shock continues to ripple through Kaikōura in the wake of the loss of five lives in a boat capsize.

Ten members of the Nature Photography Society were on board, along with the skipper, when tragedy struck on Saturday.

One of the survivors remains in Christchurch Hospital in a stable condition.

The cause of the capsize hasn't yet been established -- with authorities unable to confirm whether a whale was involved.

Herald Reporter Katie Harris says locals have told her they never expected something like this to happen so close to shore, and for it to be so deadly.

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