A major search is underway for a crew member reported overboard from a fishing vessel off the coast of Hawke's Bay.
Maritime NZ told Newshub it was alerted about 8pm on Monday.
Its Rescue Coordination Centre is coordinating the search, which is being assisted by rescue helicopter services from Auckland, Gisborne and Hastings, Napier Coast Guard and other vessels in the area.
Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust chief executive Andy Quayle said his team responded immediately.
"Shortly after 9pm, the crew were out for a search, or grid mission as we call it, off the coast of Waimarama," he said.
"Presently, there are three helicopters in the air, we've got Lowe Corporation Rescue, we've got an aircraft from the Air Force and also the Rescue Coordination Centre has sent another helicopter down to conduct a search and hopefully identify the missing individual.
"Our guys will keep going swapping out shifts until they're stood down, and hopefully that will be at the time they rescue someone."
Quayle said he was grateful for the support from others responding, but his focus remained with the missing person's loved ones.
"Obviously there's a family that hasn't had someone come home last night and we're conscious of that and the teams are doing their upmost to try and identify, following a very strict protocol in terms of searching for that individual, and hopefully bring them home safely."
The New Zealand Defence Force were available from first light.
A spokesperson said crew on a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter were assisting with the search.
Police said it was notified of a person missing from a boat about 11km offshore from Waimarama at about 9:15pm on Monday.
Flight Radar shows a Hastings-based rescue helicopter searching the area.
